Eddie Mair’s quit the BBC and people think this might be the best leaving statement ever

John Plunkett. Updated July 2nd, 2018

You know the drill, when someone in the public eye leaves a job they will typically issue an anodyne statement that no-one wants to use but they do anyway because it’s the only one they’ve got.

And then every now and again this happens, after it was announced that Eddie Mair, who presents Radio 4’s PM programme, was leaving the BBC after 30 years (to join LBC, it turns out).

This was his statement.

. @eddiemair’s leaving quote is a belter – not a fantastic or delighted in sight. pic.twitter.com/ZO9D15uFKw

— Sam Hodges (@SamHodges) July 1, 2018

Beautifully done, sir! And it’s why so many PM listeners will be sad to see him go.

https://twitter.com/WillRose_/status/1013389153420095489

https://twitter.com/xtophercook/status/1013383514522308608

Bit of a blow that @EddieMair is leaving the BBC. I like his leaving statement though. pic.twitter.com/8A4MpPvoVk

— Tom Sutcliffe (@tds153) July 1, 2018

https://twitter.com/Zardoz67/status/1013400609431617538

I will personally fix all the doors in both New and Old Broadcasting House to prevent Eddie Mair from leaving. Yes, the rest of us will be trapped inside, but it’s a small price to pay.

— Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) July 1, 2018

And here’s what the man himself had to say on Twitter.

Thank you for all the kind words. I appreciate them. But there are journalists in the world who are being shot, jailed, held hostage or forced to work with @corrie_corfield. I’m only changing jobs. So please do something about them. (Not Corrie. She’s lovely. Mainly)

— Eddie Mair (@eddiemair) July 1, 2018

‘Distinguished’ https://t.co/pUMUlWMvOU

— Eddie Mair (@eddiemair) July 2, 2018

And if you’re wondering why people are going to miss him, have a listen to this.

https://twitter.com/SimonNRicketts/status/877589081802264576