Thread by @jonkay01

THREAD: Before I sit down on the #BBCBreakfast sofa full-time, I want to thank the colleagues I’ve worked with during many years of standing up. I’ve loved being a news correspondent. I’ll miss my team like mad. Sorry if this is a bit gushing but…RELEASE THE GUSH!

I always wanted to be a reporter. When I joined the BBC as a trainee in the early 90s, I couldn’t believe my luck (or choose nice ties). Decades later, the teams in local radio, regional tv and digital are still the powerhouse of everything we produce across the country 🙏

Broadcast journalism is the ultimate team-sport. The reporters you see and hear can only tell stories because of all the camera crews, producers, editors, engineers, researchers, librarians, graphics designers, satellite-bookers, organisers, managers and so many more. Thank you.

Lately, I’ve been part of the Reporting England gang - a small team racing around the country, breaking stories, building contacts, gathering content and editing in car parks for the BBC’s national outlets. Crazy deadlines..no time for lunch..never complaining (Partly true😉)

Over the years in my patch, I’ve worked with some of the very best: Kirsty Gardner, Tim Rex, Sarah, Kev, Amanda, Christine, Gemma, Dave, Stu, Tim N, Anne-Marie, Jenny and so many more. Thanks for putting up with me, rain or shine. Mostly rain. And elections. Lots of elections.

.@NewsCamerawoman Rachel Price… You are such a star. Not only a supremely skilled and creative crew, but also a totally brilliant, caring human being. Wonderful with contributors. A complete charmer. It’s been a joy. Apart from *that* night in the flooded pub. #separatebeds

.@AndyAlcroft The man. The machine. How can somebody so talented, clever and cool be so damn modest? You’ve been an outstanding shoot-edit - working with me from Bude to Baghdad, Stroud to Sydney. You are awesome #beebeecee 🐝🐝🐝🐝

.@WestNewsProd Alex Littlewood.. Where do I start? As a producer, team-leader and mate, you are just exceptional. You’ve made me a better reporter than I ever deserved to be. Any correspondent who works with you is in the best possible hands. We’ll always have Bullsh*t Corner.

Thank you to the thousands of people who’ve shared their stories with us - home and abroad. Thank you for trusting us - especially those dealing with difficult personal situations, like Amar and the Grimmer family. We never took your time or experiences for granted.

And the brilliant characters who have made me smile… The mysterious Apostrophiser who goes out at night correcting bad punctuation on signs. And, of course, the legend that is #BrendaFromBristol

I will really miss life on the road. But I’m incredibly lucky now to be joining another outstanding bunch @BBCBreakfast. I won’t be sitting down *all* the time. I’ll still be getting out, telling stories and covering the issues that matter most to our viewers.

As a correspondent, I only have one regret... I never got to say “Jon Kay. BBC News. Broadwoodwidger. Maybe one day. Until then…see you in the morning! 🙏