Central News presenter Bob Warman steps down after half a century on screen

Local television broadcaster Bob Warman will say goodbye to regional news after half a century on our screens. 

Bob is one of ITV's longest serving news anchors and has presented regional news in the Central/Midlands region since 1973. 

He joined in the days of Central's predecessor ATV in April 1973 - the same year which saw the end of the American War in Vietnam and when Britain joined the Common Market. 

Since then, Bob has covered every single type of story from the Birmingham pub bombings to the closure of the world famous Longbridge car works - as well as fronting up charity marathons. 

"I still remember one Telethon where after 24 hours of adrenaline filled broadcasting I ended up singing ‘he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother’, with Allan Clarke from The Hollies."

Bob continues: "Whether it was viewers ringing in to ask me to stop, or some other reason, I’ll never know, but it raised a huge amount of money for local charities and I am proud of that."

On Monday July 4, the much-loved presenter will broadcast his last show on ITV Central at 6pm after more than 50 years in television.

He said: "By any measure it’s been a long stint in front of the camera and I will miss my colleagues and the hundreds of thousands of viewers who’ve remained loyal to ITV News over the years.

"It’s difficult to know when to call it a day, especially when I do a job I love with colleagues who are special to me. 

"But time is running [out] and I have many interests which I want to pursue."