![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_ITV-financials.jpg\")
The ITV star announced the news on social media(Image: PA)<\/p>\nThe veteran ITV star has announced his retirement after four decadesThe ITV star announced the news on social media(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
ITV’s Ian Searle has revealed he is leaving the broadcaster after an impressive four decades.<\/p>\n
The news director and production specialist will officially depart on December 31, with his final studio shift taking place on Monday, December 22.<\/p>\n
He joins a growing list of exits from the channel as restructuring, scheduling changes and cost-cutting <\/a>measures take hold in the new year, with daytime programming particularly hit by substantial reductions to Lorraine<\/a> and Loose Women<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ian shared the significant announcement on X, outlining his future plans, he wrote “After 31 years (officially – 41 unofficially), I will leave ITV<\/a> on the 31st Dec.<\/p>\n “My last working day was Monday. I have now directed my last bulletin, and shut down the studio for the last time. Technically, I retire, but in January, but I am starting an M.A. in Comedy<\/a> Writing.”<\/p>\n He has been pursuing comedy writing alongside his broadcasting career, which kicked off in November 1984, according to his LinkedIn profile.<\/p>\n His ITV responsibilities included “wrangling data, directing, working on Avid Newscutters, LiveU, cameras, and the rest, generally helping journalist get news stories to air.”<\/p>\n Beyond broadcasting, he has achieved notable success in comedy. Detailing his achievements on LinkedIn, he stated: “I have written topical gags, one liners and sketches for TV and Radio, both in the UK and abroad.<\/p>\n “I have contributed to Radio Prep Sheets, written over 200 episodes (to air) of a (very) short TV puppet show in the South West of England, and for an episode of a UK Network sitcom.”<\/p>\n His announcement on the professional networking platform sparked an outpouring of warm wishes from friends and colleagues who congratulated him on the career move, reports the Express<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I’ve absolutely LOVED working with you, from the first time we connected back in 2016. It’s been a genuine pleasure, Ian, and I can’t wait to hear about all the comedy success to come your way in the coming months and years!” one person wrote.<\/p>\n![\"ITV](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_ITV-logo-on-the-exterior-of-a-building.jpg\"){kind=logo}
An ITV legend has left the broadcaster after four decades(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Close-up-of-Lorraine-Kelly-presenting-her-show.jpg\")
His exit comes after a huge range of changes coming to ITV in 2026 (Image: ITV)<\/p>\n