One of Central Tonight’s best known presenters Joanne Malin has announced she is to leave in the wake of plans announced by ITV to axe hundreds of jobs across the country.
Joanne, who lives in Alvechurch, Worcestershire, presents her last show on October 31 after she announced it was time for a new challenge after 10 years in the hot seat.
Jo has presented the West Midlands edition of Central Tonight since 1998, partnering Bob Warman in the studio and reporting from all over the Midlands, as well as working on several notable foreign assignments for ITV.
She worked as a dancer and appeared in musicals including 42nd Street and Grease before moving into journalism, and lives with her husband Andrew, a hip surgeon based at the city’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
Last week Central staff were told 69 jobs were to be shed as part of ITV’s intention to axe more than 400 jobs across the country to make £40 million savings in regional news.
Mrs Malin said: “After 10 fantastic years at ITV Central I have decided it’s time for me to leave and move on to new challenges. After a decade working with Bob Warman and the team, it seems that now is a good time to pursue the new and exciting opportunities that have been offered to me.”
She added: “Of course I will greatly miss my on-screen partner Bob Warman but I think it’s time for his longest serving on-screen ‘wife’ to go it alone.”
She announced she will still be entertaining theatregoers in her role as Fairy Bow Bells in Dick Whittington at the Lichfield Garrick theatre this Christmas.
The Central West ITV region is expected to merge with Central East to create a Midlands-wide service.
21 Comments
Who is Joanne Malin?
I know everyone has to move on in life at some point but you will be sadly missed Jo. I would like to wish you all the best in what ever you do in the future
Sadly will be missed, maybe now it’s time for Bob to go also? This would give opportunities for the younger presenters.
I would of preferred Bob to go.
Good luck Jo.
i only watch central news because of our jo, bob should retire and give new up coming talent the job and jo should stay at least 5 more years,so goodluck jo in your new career.
It is very sad.Joanne is a STAR in every way.Beautiful,very professional and a top top lady.
Good luck Jo I will miss you terribly.I hope you will be doing lots of stuff in the Midlands area so i can still see you.
Ity is very sad.Joanne is a STAR in every way.Beautiful,very professional and a top top lady.
Good luck Jo I will miss you terribly.I hope you will be doing lots of stuff in the Midlands area so i can still see you.
Hi Jo,
Your smile a wonderful nature will be sadly missed by us all in the West Midlands, and we wish to thank you most sincerely for your fantastic loving humour and sinserity. In closing we wish you evry success in what ever direction you dicide to take.
She’s a brill presenter-my best moment is when she was on a live outside broadcast and said “it’s pissin it down here”,oh classic !!
so what, is it going to make a difference to us ? NO.
Sorry to see Joanne leave, i think she was a great asset to central news. I’m glad Bob is staying.Shame there has to be cut backs.
Is this due to some town having to merge with other towns??
Nikki
Thanks for all your kind comments. I’m really touched. Please keep watching Central Tonight!
Ahhh, we will miss your smiling face…but we will see you at the Garrick in Panto.
Hope you future will be bright xxxx
I have so enjoyed listening and watching you on the programme. Things will never be the same again.
Whatever you do and wherever you go, all the very best to you.
Best wishes
Good luck Jo, Would you stay if a long term contract was offered?
You will be missed a great deal but 10 years is a long time pastures new it’s all about fate and destiny.
Jim & Yvonne Woolley BROMSGROVE
We shall miss your lovely smile so much. All the very best in whatever you decide to do.
Lots of love Caron xx
Crazy.
Jo’s easily the most charismatic and professional [and prettiest - ratings, ratings!] presenter on Central. More significantly, she’s effectively become the face of the station: y’know - proverbially ‘iconic’, like. These things count, n’est pas?
Keyword: ‘ratings’…
Consequently, you have to wonder exactly what dubious agendas [political/personal, etc] are informing these self evidently illogical choices when such a major asset is dispensed with….
Hey Jo,
As an old friend even I will miss you, and I can’t even get Central TV!!
I’M glad Jo has gone i think Lucy has a much nicer manor and is far more with it.Always felt Jo was a bit of a frump and i shall start watching again now.
central tonight seems to have new presenters every week,you never know who’s going to be on the programe these days
Sad that Jo is leaving as she was always so nice and cheerful. The new show’s presenters are absolutely AWFUL!! Where on earth do you get them from?