After more than 50 years in broadcasting, the face of ITV News Central, Bob Warman, has said his final farewells.

Tonight was the presenter’s last time on the 6pm East and West Midlands program, before he retires.

A familiar face to many, people have grown up watching Bob deliver the local news each evening and before he went, he has a message for his “loyal audience”.

He began his message saying: "Since I announced I was leaving three months ago, I’ve received hundreds of emails and letters wishing me well for the future, and thanking me for being ‘part of the household’ for so many years.

"Now it’s my turn to show gratitude."

He goes on to talk about the many changes journalism has gone through during his time in the business, calling his job "a huge responsibility and a privilege".

"I’m very grateful to ITV for giving me that role, and my thanks go to our loyal audience.

"I know that Steve Clamp will appreciate that loyalty when he takes over from me and I wish him well in the best job in the best region!"

Bob Warman’s career

At 75 years old, Bob is not only one of the most recognisable faces in broadcasting in the Midlands but is one of the world’s longest standing television presenters, having fronted ITV Central News for 49 years.

Following an early career as a local newspaper reporter on the Walsall Observer and the Birmingham Post and Mail, he first started broadcasting as a radio journalist on Radio Birmingham, before starting his career in television at ITV and Central, presenting regional news programmes.

He was also a regional presenter on Yorkshire Television from 1976 to 1979. During this time, he presented Britain's first breakfast programme Good Morning Calendar in 1977.

In 1979, he returned to Associated Television, who he had originally joined in 1973 to work on ITV News, which became Central News in 1982. In 1989, he hosted the Sky TV version of The Price Is Right.

Alongside his illustrious media career, he has been widely recognised for services to many local charities.

He is President of the Birmingham Press Club, the world’s oldest Press Club, and an honorary Vice-President of the Journalists Charity. He was a long-standing Patron of Acorns Hospices, and was Regional Chairman of Coutts & Co, a private bank.

He was a founding member of the committee which established the Princess Royal Trust for carers in the Midlands. He has also been very supportive of local business enterprises. He was the Vice Chairman of the Birmingham Civic Society, recipient of an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University and recipient of the Royal Television Society, Baird Medal.