ANDREW Marr is quitting the BBC after 21 years.

The Scottish-born journalist announced today that he will be leaving behind “many happy memories and wonderful colleagues”.

He broke the news to his followers on Twitter.

He said: "After 21 years, I have decided to move on from the BBC. l leave behind many happy memories and wonderful colleagues.

"But from the New Year I am moving to Global to write and present political and cultural shows, and to write for newspapers.

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Marr now will now make the move to Global in an attempt to create more of a personal 'voice' in british politics.

He added: “I think British politics and public life are going to go through an even more turbulent decade, and as I’ve said, I am keen to get my own voice back."

He also joked that after his lengthy time as a presenter at BBC, viewers will have similar thoughts to his departure.

He said:“I have been doing the Andrew Marr show every Sunday morning for 16 years now and that is probably more than enough time for anybody!”

Originally from Glasgow, Andrew Marr has been a prominent political commentator in the UK for a number of years and has interviewed a wealth of political figures. His straight line of questioning has become a bench mark on the Sunday morning show.

The Andrew Marr show began in 2005 replacing Breakfast With Frost.

He moved to the programme after a five-year stint as Political Editor at BBC News.

In a subsequent statement, he added: “Coming to Global gives me a new freedom – to do fast-paced, very regular political journalism on LBC with no filter, in entirely my own voice.

“On Classic FM, I’ll be exploring my love of classical music, and culture generally, with some surprising guests.

“I feel I’m joining a young, hungrily ambitious and exciting company and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Marr will host an opinion-led programme on LBC which will see him “give his view on the biggest issues of the moment” alongside guests, Global said.

He will also present a new programme on Classic FM, playing music and interviewing guests from the world of politics and arts, host a weekly podcast on Global Player and write a regular column for the LBC website.

BBC director-general Tim Davie said Marr had been a “brilliant journalist and presenter” during his time at the BBC.

“He leaves an unmatched legacy of outstanding political interviews and landmark programmes. We wish him well for the next chapter,” he added.

Ashley Tabor-King, founder and executive president of Global, said: “Andrew is one of the finest and most respected broadcasters and journalists of our time and we are honoured to welcome him to the Global family, especially at a moment when we are celebrating record audience figures.

“LBC now takes its next step. Andrew Marr will be an unmissable moment in the schedule and we are excited that he will be part of LBC and Classic FM’s incredible presenter line-up.”

James Rea, director of broadcasting and content at Global, said: “It is fantastic to welcome a broadcaster of Andrew’s calibre to Global.

“We are looking forward to him bringing his sharp political insight to LBC at such an exciting time for the station and his passion for classical music and the arts to Classic FM.

“I know that our audience will enjoy listening and interacting with him from next year.”