BBC presenter quits after 19 years and 'denied a goodbye'

Taking to social media website Twitter, she said: "Like @revrichardcoles I also feel sad that @bbcradio4 never announced my exit from @bbcfrontrow & persuade d me not to say goodbye to listeners after 19 years of presenting.

Producer Giles Paley-Phillips replied: "So sorry, that's awful." Another fan wrote : "It's almost as if the powers that be don't understand the relationship between presenter and audience at all! As a listener you feel you are hearing the voice of a good friend. Would you want your friend to move away and not say goodbye? Such contempt for the listener."

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"Thanks for the lovely messages from @BBCFrontRow listeners," she wrote. "Just to clarify I left voluntarily." She added: "My lament was the lack of an official announcement or goodbye but I'm now very happy to be the new presenter of Round Britain Quiz."

KWR replied: "Adding my thanks for your work on Front Row; learned so much." Christine shared: "We'll miss you on Front Row, but now at least I know where I can catch you on the radio." Sally said: "Thank you for all you have done, Kirsty, in presenting so brilliantlyone of the best (most intellectually robust) programmes the BBC offered. Thank you for your clarity and grace."

Peter said: "Yes. I wondered what had happened. Congratulations on the new job." Prof Tim O'Brien said: "This behaviour offers an insight into what the culture of an organisation is really like. Forget the superficial stuff where culture is dressed up - this cold swift response tells you a great deal."

"Sad for you both. You and other presenters do an excellent job and that should be acknowledged. Just what is going on, and why is the BBC apparently trying to alienate listeners (to several stations) all at the same time?" another said. "And yet when Scott Mills and Chris Stark left radio 1, they had a great send off, loads of messages, memories replayed, lovely words said etc, all deserved, he'd been there 24yrs," 42 said. One said: "Seems so wrong. I really enjoy you on Front Row Kirsty. There has to be a better way of handing this. Out of respect to presenters and listeners."

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