Sunderland's own Jeff Brown to leave Look North after 21 years

Veteran broadcaster Jeff Brown has announced he will leave Look North after 21 years.

The journalist, who grew up in Sunderland, joined the flagship regional BBC news programme in 2003, having previously worked with Mike Neville on Tyne Tees' North East Tonight.

He has since stepped in to news presenting on Look North.

Posting on social media platform X today, he said: "News just in…after nearly 21yrs with BBC Look North ⁦@BBCLN⁩ I’m moving on.

"Projects in the pipeline with BBC & others, but (as you can see) it’s been fun, and a huge, wonderful part of my life. Thanks for watching xx"

In a later statement, he said: "Presenting BBC Look North - filling the seat once occupied by the great Mike Neville - has been the undoubted highlight of my career, something I could never have imagined when I set out as a journalist.

“It has been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to work with such talented and dedicated teams over the years, and I’m proud to count them as my friends. I’m also truly grateful to the many people and organisations across the North East and Cumbria who have allowed me to tell their stories, and to be welcomed into hundreds of thousands of homes every night. 

“Sport has always been my passion – whatever colour the team is wearing, or the shape of the ball! I hope I’ve been able to reflect the depth of feeling fans have for their teams, because in that respect our region is unique”.

Jeff attended Redby and Monkwearmouth schools before beginning his career in newspaper journalism in Birmingham.

He returned to the North East in the 1980s, and eventually made his way into television.

Jeff has also branched out into other areas, including as a playwright, with his works Cornered and The Bench proving popular with audiences.

He has also been a popular host of the Sunderland Echo Business Excellence Awards.

He is married to Susan Wear, a former director of communications at Sunderland City Council, who has also worked as a playwright.

Jeff has won many accolades during his time on BBC Look North, including the BBC Ruby Award for 'Best Presentation Team' – alongside co-presenter Carol Malia, for best sports coverage, and the Best Sport” award from the Royal Television Society (North East and The Border) in 2022.

Kay Wright, BBC Editor for the North East and Cumbria, said: “Jeff is going to be hugely missed by audiences and sporting communities across the region, as well as his colleagues here at BBC Look North.

"Jeff brings immeasurable knowledge, passion, and pride to all that he does. And he’ll be a tough act to follow. But we wish Jeff every success in whatever adventures he embarks on next.”