Wes Streeting led politicians paying tribute to Kay Burley. (Image: Sky News)
shared a heartfelt message to after she announced she is retiring from after 36 years with the channel.
Despite numerous on-air clashes over the years, the Health Secretary said he would miss the broadcaster after she confirmed her exit on Wednesday morning at the end of her breakfast programme.
Streeting wrote on X/Twitter: “I’ve been ‘Burleyed’ over the years. Genuinely one of the toughest, but also fair, interviews of the morning round.
“Somehow I suspect we’ll be Burleyed in the future, too. But all the best @KayBurley. @SkyNews won’t be the same without you.”
Kay ominously responded to the politician: “Thank you Wes. Rest easy, for now…”
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Kay Burley has left Sky News after 36 years. (Image: Getty)
The veteran journalist, 64, was one of the original presenters who helped launch Sky News in 1989, and she has presented the morning slot since 2019.
Closing her Wednesday show, she said: “After over a million minutes of live TV news, more than anyone else in the world, it’s time for me to indulge in some of my other passions, including my love for travel.
“So, after covering 12 separate general elections, including Sir ‘s victory last year, I am retiring from Sky News, let politicians of every party just rejoice at that news.
“Thank you for waking up and tuning in every morning. I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated your support over the last three-and-a-half decades – you’re awesome.
“I will post more on my social media and hope to see you around. Please keep in touch.”
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Kay Burley confirmed her retirement on Wednesday’s Sky News breakfast show. (Image: Sky News)
Her last day also coincided with Sky News’s 36th birthday and she used her final moments to pay tribute to how it had progressed from a “standing start to one of the most recognised and valued brands in global news”.
In a note shared with staff on Wednesday, Sky News executive chairman David Rhodes thanked Burley for her “huge contribution to Sky, to the art of the interview and to British journalism”, and wished her “the best of luck”.
He added: “With millions of minutes presenting live rolling news, Kay’s legacy in television journalism is unmatched, as is her commitment to Sky’s legacy.
“I’m sure some MPs in Westminster will sleep easy knowing they won’t face her indomitable questioning in the mornings.
“Kay confirmed that today was her final broadcast with Sky News. Of course, Breakfast continues – with the other current presenters and with our Friday-Sunday team.”
Sky News political editor Beth Rigby hailed Burley as a “trailblazer and inspiration to a whole generation of women”, while former Sky News journalist Adam Boulton said “there are no other women of her background who have had such an impact on British news and current affairs”.
Former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister said she was “devastated” to hear Burley was retiring, describing her as a “total inspiration” to her as a single parent and woman from a different background.
journalist Victoria Derbyshire said Burley has “blazed an absolute trail” for female journalists, while Good Morning Britain presenter added that Burley is “a fierce advocate for viewers, a powerful interviewer and a supporter of women in television”.