Andy Cairns, the man behind the Sky Sports News phenomenon, has decided to call it a day after three decades with the broadcaster.
Cairns, who is also a director and trustee of the National Council for the Training of Journalists, helped launch the 24-hour rolling sports news programme in 1998.
He said: “When I started working at Sky News covering the sport in 1989, I never thought I would be so fortunate to do what I’ve done for 30 years.
“I’ve worked with some incredibly talented people, Sky has been a wonderful platform to make things happen and I’ve loved every minute of it.
“We’ve also made great strides in our commitment to diversity across the newsroom.
“The way sport is covered by the media has changed beyond all recognition in the 20 years since Sky Sports News began, I feel a great privilege to have been part of that change. Now it’s time for the next generation to grab the baton and change to make it even better for our viewers.”
Cairns began his career on local newspapers in Surrey and worked for the BBC as a producer before joining Sky News as sports editor in 1989.
Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said: “He was a founding partner in the crazy idea back in 1998 to create a rolling sports new channel, no one gave it a hope and more than 20 years later it continues to prove them wrong.
“Andy’s legacy is bringing his razor-sharp news sense and journalistic standards from Sky News to bear on sport and creating something that has captivated millions.”
Cairns leaves this summer.