THREE presenters poised to ‘quit’ after more than 25 years – as BBC confirms raft of huge changes

THREE popular BBC weather presenters are poised to “quit” after more than 25 years. It comes after the BBC’s new director general Matt Brittin announced in June plans to slash spending by £80million over the next two years. Three BBC presenters are poised to ‘quit’ after more than 25 yearsCredit: Not known clear with picture desk An insider told The Times ‘It’s the end of an era for our weather presenting’ Credit: BBC Longtime presenters Tomasz Schafernaker, Louise Lear and Darren Bett are said to be considering voluntary redundancy amid the huge cuts. An insider told The Times: “It’s the end of an era for our weather presenting. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! “The audience wants a bit of digital and TV – including a good old fashioned forecast.” They also said that that traditional weather forecast has become “less relevant”, with a focus on digital content. Darren Bett has also had a lengthy run at the broadcaster since 1997 Credit: BBC So far, none of the presenters have take up the offer to leave just yet. Bosses revealed last week that they were planning to shake-up the local weather presenters – with insiders saying roles were being cut from 11 to around four. The BBC have said that “across the wider Weather team the proposals would result in a net reduction of three posts in all.” They have also stated that they are trying to meet an increase in digital content production, meeting ever-growing audience demand via the weather app, website, and social channels, across the day Most read in Showbiz And to create a new BBC weather centre at the Met Office headquarters in Exeter, placing the BBC at the heart of weather insight. Louise has been a regular on the show for nearly 30 years, while Tomasz joined the BBC back in 2000. Darren has also had a lengthy run at the broadcaster as one of the original members at BBC News 24 in 1997. Just two months ago, former Google exec Matt Brittin, 57, told Beeb staff in an email that the savings would see shows cancelled and jobs axed. It is understood the cuts will contribute to some of the 2,000 job losses expected to come over the next three years. Around 550 positions will be cut in the BBC’s news and nations divisions, and 700 roles will close in the BBC’s corporate divisions, the director general said. Cuts in the news and nations divisions are expected to generate roughly £160m in savings. While cuts to the corporate divisions will also see the Beeb save some cash, though the exact figure remains undisclosed. Staff were told that though “compulsory redundancies” were inevitable the corporation would work hard to avoid cutting jobs where possible. In his email to staff, seen by The Sun, Brittin said: “It’s almost a month since I started here, and I’ve been getting to know more of you and of the BBC. “I’ve heard your belief in the mission, and your ambition to reinvent the BBC for the future – both of which I’m working on and will come back with more in September. “Of course, you also want to know what the announced savings mean for you. It is important to me that you have clarity on this as soon as possible. “The scale of savings requires tough choices, careful work and won’t all be ready at once. We are committed to letting you know as soon as we have plans in your area. “All divisions will be making significant savings. Today, some divisions are ready to set out the first phase of these plans, with more to follow.” The email also announced the closure of some programmes, saying the move would create “difficult choices.” Brittin added that the BBC would “review our broadcast TV channels and radio network portfolio” as more of its audience moves online. As part of the savings effort, Brittin explained the corporation would be cutting spend across Content, News and Nations by around £80million in 2027 – 2028. Comment now