BBC Look East lead presenter Susie Fowler-Watt is stepping down after 35 years with the broadcaster, setting her final broadcast for December 18 to focus on a new career as a psychotherapist.
After three and a half decades on air across local radio, Westminster reporting, and regional television, Susie Fowler-Watt has announced her departure from the BBC. The 56-year-old journalist lives in Norfolk. She qualified as a psychotherapist in 2024. She plans to dedicate her energy to that practice following her exit from the screen.
Her career at the corporation started at BBC Radio Surrey in 1991. She then took on reporting, producing, and presenting roles across local radio. Later, she joined the BBC political unit based in Westminster to work on national television programmes.
Some (of my own) breaking news… pic.twitter.com/PyWRKWL4ki
Susie Fowler-Watt Reflects On Thirty-Five Years at the BBC
Over the course of her journalism career, she has interviewed eight prime ministers. These included David Cameron shortly before the 2016 European Union referendum. She also interviewed Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
In 1997, she began presenting the regional flagship programme Look East. The programme covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Northamptonshire.
She co-presented the bulletin alongside Stewart White for 23 years. They broadcast initially from St Catherine’s Close in Norwich before relocating to The Forum in 2003.
Outside of her news duties, her assignments included skydiving, banger racing, and singing with Steve Harley of Cockney Rebel.
Fowler-Watt Reported on Major Regional and National Events
Fowler-Watt covered major regional and national news events. She reported on the Soham murders of 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman by Ian Huntley. She also covered the trial of serial killer Steve Wright, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
It is amazing what people can endure, what they can achieve and how they find light in darkness. It is telling those stories that has been so important to me. The Covid lockdown was a case in point – every day I was moved by how our communities came together, and it was our job to reflect that amid all the grim news.
Susie Fowler-Watt, via The Independent
She paid tribute to the staff working behind the scenes. Her husband, Alex Dunlop, has worked for the BBC since his twenties and currently serves as a BBC Look East senior journalist.
BBC Look East presenter Susie Fowler-Watt is leaving the BBC after 35 years to concentrate on her new career as a psychotherapist. https://t.co/pNg1bobxdH pic.twitter.com/KGO3lT35zD
Fowler-Watt Outlines Move to Psychotherapy
Fowler-Watt explained that she trained for her new profession at age 50. This was six years prior to her announcement.
She expressed gratitude to her colleagues. She thanked her audience while confirming her departure timeline.
She noted in a video posted to her X account that she would remain on air for roughly eight more weeks to say a proper goodbye before Christmas.
I have absolutely loved the job, but I’m now in a new chapter of life, and keen to focus my energy on my therapy work. Presenting the BBC’s 18:30 regional news programme has been such a privilege, as you’re very much part of your community and are invited into hundreds of thousands of homes every evening.
Susie Fowler-Watt, via The Independent
Robert Thompson, Director of Production for BBC Local, praised her tenure with the broadcaster. He stated that she made an outstanding contribution to the BBC. He stated that she made an outstanding contribution to audiences across the East of England.
BBC Look East presenter Susie Fowler-Watt announces departure after 35 years to pursue new career https://t.co/CyqXsuyu54
He described her as a trusted voice through both good times and challenging moments who championed regional communities with warmth, integrity, and professionalism, offering her the warmest of wishes and huge thanks.
Fowler-Watt will anchor her final bulletin at 6:30 PM on BBC One on Friday, December 18.