Jenni Murray says goodbye to Woman’s Hour as final show leaves listeners in tears
The long-serving host bowed out after 33 years on the Radio 4 show today with a celebration of her greatest episodes
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Dame Jenni Murray said goodbye to Woman’s Hour today in an emotional final show after 33 years at the helm.
70-year-old presenter Jenni opened the show by revealing Mary Berry had sent her a chocolate cake for her and the Radio 4 team to enjoy on their last day in the studio together.
In the personal note to the host, Mary said Jeni would be ‘greatly missed’ with the sentiment shared by listeners taking to social media in support.
“It’s very, very strange,” said Jenni of her departure, after announcing she was leaving back in July.
The award-winning journalist and broadcaster said it was ‘time to move on’ after spending more than ‘half her life’ on the show, which she began in September 1987.
In more than three decades of Woman’s Hour, Jenni has tackled a wide range of issues, chaired debates and held politicians – including the likes of Margaret Thatcher and Gordon Brown – to account.
“Some were a delight to listen to, others less so” mused Jenni today.
As host of the long-running show, Jenni has also taken the opportunity to share many of her own personal battles with listeners. In 2006 she revealed live on air that she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer prompting an outpouring of support.
Jenni took time off during her treatment but returned to share details of her journey, from her chemotherapy to hair loss.
“We’ve broadcast so often about women’s health and so many of our listeners have had breast cancer… I can’t disappear for a month,” she later said of her shock announcement.
As she recounted some of her highlights on the show today, Jenni revealed her peak was speaking to American singer Joan Baez, who openly discussed her romance with Bob Dylan and sang to her.
“She sat here in this studio with her guitar and for my benefit she sang Diamonds and Rust and I cried… to myself! Nobody would have known ,but I was sobbing to myself because she was so wonderful,” said Jenni.
Jenni also recalled her interview with Hilary Clinton, who she described as ‘one of the most famous women in the world’ when they sat down together.
Jenni described how Hilary concerned Radio 4 staff by arriving late to the studio before redeeming herself with a gripping account of how she had been humiliated by husband Bill before ultimately choosing to stand by him and save their marriage.
After running through some of her favourite moments from the last 30 years, Jenni signed off for the final time, telling her loyal listeners: “There is no stereotypical woman… but our sex we share.”
She went on: “It’s goodbye from me. Thank you all for listening and being such a vital part of the Woman’s Hour family. And thanks also to the three men in my family who have given endless support; David, Ed and Charlie born in 1987,” – the year she started the show.
Jenni’s goodbye was soundtracked by the feminist anthem I am Woman by singer Helen Reddy, who died this week.
Listeners then flocked to Twitter to share their appreciation for Jenni’s work and emotion at hearing her final Woman’s Hour appearance.
“Tears in the bath listening to the glorious Jenni Murray! Simply the best in broadcasting ! Wishing her joy and love for the future – will miss her hugely” said one.
“Am I the only man to get slightly choked as the incomparable #JenniMurray signed off after a lifetime presenting @BBCWomansHour? What a wonderful career Jenni, you’ll be greatly missed by all @BBCRadio4 listeners, men and women alike,” added another.
“Class personified. Beautiful choice to include #iamwomen by recently passed Helen Reddy as the song to wave another beloved female icon #JenniMurray farewell from the radio airwaves. Thank you and will miss the voice and instinct of a world class journalist,” praised a third.
When she announced she was leaving back in July, Jenni said in a statement: : “I’ve spent nearly half my life with Woman’s Hour and it’s been a privilege and delight to inform, educate and entertain a loyal and growing audience of women and men. Saying goodbye will be very hard to do, but it’s time to move on.”
Director general of the BBC Tony Hall said: “Jenni Murray is a remarkable broadcaster and few have matched her outstanding contribution to the and our audience.
“For more than three decades, Jenni has been an unmistakable and warm voice that has interviewed many of the most well-known women in the world, and helped illuminate issues that matter. The radio airwaves won’t be the same without her.”
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