ON THE PROGRAMME

A farewell from Julian

"Who'd have thought it when I came down from Manchester thirteen and a half years ago that Five Live would play such a big part in my working life?

In 1994 when the station went on air I was a newsreader during the week, and the presenter of Breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. Since then I've presented most of the programmes on the network at one time or another, I've been priveleged to see major events around the world like the aftermath of 9/11, the election of Nelson Mandela and the outbreak of the war in Iraq…and there's been the chance to watch great sporting clashes too.

Then there are the personal bits: the fantastic atmosphere in the Breakfast studio which made getting up on a cold November morning at 3.50am almost bearable, the wonderful colleagues, the closeness to the audience.

I've decided to step outside my comfort zone for six months to go travelling. Some major adventures lie ahead, I'm sure, then the hope is to return to the BBC and carry on in many of the places I work now.

I guess I'm tapping into the philosophy that says I'd rather be lying on my death-bed regretting the things I've done, rather than the things I haven't done. Look after Five Live while I'm away."

Click to see a gallery of Julian from child to man

The 5 live Report

5 live's weekly investigative news programme. Find out more.

Meet Julian

Find out more about Julian Worricker