19/06/2007

Nick Ross to leave 'Crimewatch'

'Crimewatch' presenter Nick Ross is to leave the show after 23 years, the BBC has announced.

Ross will remain with the BBC and will now discuss other potential projects with the corporation.

His last programme will be on July 2 and will include an item celebrating his contribution to Crimewatch and some of the major crimes that have been solved while he has been presenting the programme.

The BBC said that Ross was leaving the show at a time when the programme's conviction rate was at its highest, with one in five cases featured on the programme being solved.

Peter Fincham, Controller of BBC One, said: "Nick has made a gigantic contribution to Crimewatch which for 23 years has been a uniquely important BBC One programme.

"The BBC is in his debt, as are the countless victims of crime whose cases Crimewatch has taken up and, on many occasions, helped to solve.

"It's no exaggeration to say that, without Nick, there would have been no Crimewatch."

Nick Ross said: "After more than 23 years at the helm of Crimewatch I shall greatly miss the programme and I am grateful to the BBC for the privilege of presenting this flagship show.

"Together we have created something of a national institution which continues to be a phenomenal success in solving crime, winning ratings and maintaining high standards of public service."

Ross said that he had no bad memories of his time on the show, apart from the death of his co-presenter Jill Dando, who was shot dead in April 1999. He said: "I shall continue to do all I can to support the Jill Dando Institute at University College London which, with huge public support, we created in her memory. I shall also stay working with the police on crime prevention and other initiatives and retain my role with Crimestoppers and as an adviser to Victim Support."

Ben Gale, Commissioning Editor for Factual Features and Formats, said: "We remain committed to the long-term future of Crimewatch, which continues to perform well."

Fiona Bruce will continue to present the show.

(KMcA/JM)


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