Presenter Joanna Gosling became emotional as she signed off her final BBC News broadcast by thanking viewers and colleagues.

Gosling is among those who have taken voluntary redundancy amid plans for the BBC to merge its international and domestic news channels.

She said: “Now it just about time for me to say goodbye for the last time.

“I am signing off after 23 years at BBC News and before I go there are just a few things I wanted to say. I know this job is personal. We come directly into you home to tell you what is happening - good, bad, funny, sad. And in doing my work I always consider how you might be responding to the news you are hearing and what you might want to know.

“But your response to me leaving has been completely unexpected and I have been really touched by the wave of warmth and kindness from you, and I want to say thank you for all of your good wishes. It really has meant a lot to me.” Concluding to applause from inside the studio, she added: “Lucky me to have had this great job that has never felt like a job. Thank you for having me.”

The BBC announced in July that BBC News and BBC World News were to merge to create a single 24-hour TV channel, resulting in job losses, as part of its new digital-first strategy.

The BBC needs to save a further £285 million in response to the announcement in January 2022 that the licence fee will be frozen for the next two years.