NOEL Thompson, one of Northern Ireland's most respected broadcasters, has signed off for the final time after four decades.
As he bade farewell to listeners on BBC Northern Ireland's flagship Good Morning Ulster programme, he admitted he had "mixed feelings".
"To be cutting loose at this time, probably the biggest challenge that we the BBC have faced, and this society has faced, it just seems very strange that you'll not be there every day reflecting, it is kind of what we do as journalists.
"Thank you to all the people I've worked with over all these years who have made it such a pleasure to come into work every day.
"Thank you to our viewers and listeners who have put up with me for four decades. Thank you to the world's best news organisation, the BBC, for, well for basically allowing me the privilege of a long and happy career doing a job which I have always loved and will continue to love."
Mr Thompson decided he wanted to become a journalist while working at his brother's restaurant in the West Indies and returned to Belfast where he was given an interview with BBC Northern Ireland news editor Robin Walsh in 1979.
His co-presenter Karen Patterson and colleagues Wendy Austin and Seamus McKee have all also stepped down from the BBC airwaves.
In an interview after he announced his retirement he admitted reporting during the Troubles took its toll.
"I genuinely believe that we all have a little bit of post-traumatic stress disorder," he said.
"You get a phone call at two o'clock in the morning saying: 'Get your way down to the Tyrone border.'
"You get there at three o'clock in the morning, there's a body wrapped in a bin bag at the side of the road - we often got there before the police and army did."
Colleagues paid warm tribute to him yesterday, with BBC news journalist Elaine Dunseath posting a picture of him from the newsroom saying: "Last day at the BBC after 45 years for this broadcasting giant. I've worked with him for 15 of those and it's been a pleasure and a privilege. All the best for the future."
William Crawley said it had "given a lifetime to public service broadcasting and journalism".
"In normal times, we would be lined up in the newsroom to applaud his enormous contribution."
Martin O'Brien, northern correspondent for The Irish Catholic and Irish News columnist, wished his former colleague "every good wish" describing him as an "outstanding broadcaster who did his homework. Rightly feared by the powerful for his forensic approach. Always fair. Grateful for what he taught me and his public service".
SDLP assembly member Daniel McCrossan wished him "all the best in his retirement", adding "the airwaves won’t be the same without him & thanks for years of dedication to public service".
The Federation of Small Businesses NI described it as "truly the end of an era".
