BBC News presenter Rich Preston has revealed that he would be taking a break from our screens to work on another major project.
The BBC’s top news correspondent is frequently seen on BBC World TV.
He has lately covered storm warnings in California, the World Cup, and the Lucy Letby trial, but he is not taking a “much-needed rest.”
Announcing the news on Twitter, Preston wrote: ‘Thanks for your company this last week @BBCNews. We’ve had England beat Australia – then lose to Spain, drone strikes on Moscow, and the Letby verdict.
‘I have my own big deadline this week, my Masters dissertation due Thursday! Then taking a much-needed break! See you soon.’
Thanks for your company this last week @BBCNews. We've had England beat Australia – then lose to Spain, drone strikes on Moscow, and the Letby verdict. I have my own big deadline this week, my Masters dissertation due Thursday 😬! Then taking a much-needed break! See you soon 😊 pic.twitter.com/1KSAAbguNM
— Rich Preston (@RichPreston) August 21, 2023
Preston later went on to share insight into his dissertation, explaining to one well-wisher: ‘It’s on the political use of secret intelligence for my MA in International Security and Intelligence.’
Others went on to wish him luck, while someone else said in awe: ‘How do you combine being the most elegant news reader on the BBC with studying for a Masters?!’
Preston received recognition earlier this year after displaying his professional progress, despite previous rejections.
He wrote: ‘To the editor who said “You’ve only done radio, you’d never be able to do TV”: Hiya! Just spent my day anchoring BBC News around the world.
‘To the editor who said “You’re too TV now to do radio”: Hiya! Just spent my weekend on the radio covering the coronation of a King.’
To the editor who said “You’ve only done radio, you’d never be able to do TV”: Hiya! 👋 Just spent my day anchoring BBC News around the world.
To the editor who said “You’re too TV now to do radio”: Hiya! 👋 Just spent my weekend on the radio covering the coronation of a King
🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/lLvH2WZEma— Rich Preston (@RichPreston) May 7, 2023
He went on: ‘I worked my backside off to get into this industry. I didn’t come from a media family or have connections. I didn’t know any journalists growing up in tiny Tullynessle!
‘For years I felt a huge sense of imposter syndrome (often still do!) Comments like these don’t encourage anyone.
‘My message, esp those young in their careers and trying to make their way in areas like journalism: Don’t let anyone tell you what they think you can or can’t do based on their perceptions of you, your background, or what you’ve done before. Go and SHOW THEM you can do it.’
