Norden Calls It A Night On ITV

ITV is to lose another of its best-known presenters this year, as Denis Norden announces his retirement from the broadcaster after 30 years with the channel.

Norden will record one final entertainment special next month, which will mark the end of his time with ITV. Entitled All the Best From Denis Norden, the programme will be transmitted later this year will be a farewell tour of the presenter’s many previous programmes.

Commenting on Norden’s departure, Mark Wells, controller of entertainment for ITV Productions, said: “Denis Norden is the longest-serving entertainment star on ITV, and it’s been our privilege to work with him since the first edition of It’ll Be Alright On the Night back in 1977. He’s remained involved with every aspect of his shows – writing, presenting, and selecting the material, and his knowledge of comedy is unrivalled in British broadcasting. Like the viewers, we shall miss him but wish him the very best for his retirement.”

Paul Jackson, director of entertainment and comedy at ITV added: “Millions of radio and television viewers have been entertained by Denis’s unique, warm and witty style over the last half a century. I’d like to thank him for his invaluable contribution to the channel.”

Norden’s departure will be a blow to ITV, which has lost several high profile presenters in recent months.

January saw Channel 4 poach one of the broadcaster’s highest profile stars, with Paul O’Grady switching sides to leave ITV management “ashen faced” (see O’Grady Latest Chat Host To Leave ITV).

Previously Trisha Goddard resigned from ITV to host a similar format chat show on Five (see ITV Talk-Show Stalwart Jumps Ship To Five).

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