Lancashire radio presenter Tony Livesey leaves BBC Radio 5 Live after 16 years
A BBC radio presenter from Lancashire has stepped down after nearly two decades.
BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Tony Livesey from Lancashire has left the station after 16 years.
It comes nearly two months after the Burnley born broadcaster, 62, stepped away from presenting his show when questions were raised about his previous career as editor-in-chief of newspapers owned by David Sullivan.
Tony, who then grew up in Nelson, said in June that he was stepping away for a “short time” after allegations made about the West Ham co-owner and himself in a Panorama investigation.
A note sent to BBC colleagues from Radio 5 Live controller, Heidi Dawson, said: “I wanted to let you know that Tony Livesey has decided to leave his presenting role on 5 Live.
“Tony has worked at 5 Live for 16 years and was the first voice for us on air as we launched from our new home in Salford.
“Tony has been at the heart of our coverage of every major news and sporting event for a decade and a half.
“Tony has asked me to pass on his heartfelt thanks to the brilliant colleagues at 5 Live who he has had the pleasure of working with over the years. I know many of you have also really enjoyed working with Tony, and we wish him well for all his future endeavours.”
In June the BBC and The Times reported the accounts of seven women who claimed Mr Sullivan engaged in sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour.
Mr Sullivan, 77, quit as chairman of the east London football club to fight what he claimed were “false allegations” about his conduct.
The accounts from the women date back to the 1980s and 1990s, when he owned tabloid newspapers the Daily Sport and the Sunday Sport.
The investigation also aired questions for Livesey, who edited the papers, and one alleged victim said he had arranged a meeting between her and Sullivan.
Livesey told the Times he had “no recollection” of introducing the young woman to Sullivan and that it was “not part” of his job to do so.
Support your Lancashire Post and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you’ll see fewer ads, get faster load times, and access exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.
At BBC Radio 5 Live, the broadcaster covered a range of sporting events on the station including the London and Paris Olympics and Wimbledon.
He also reported from the Falkland Islands, RAF Akrotiri and covered Brexit.
Earlier in his career, Livesey, who attended Nelson & Colne College, worked at various organisations in Lancashire, including the Nelson Leader, Lanashire Evening Telegraph and BBC Radio Lancashire.