James Naughtie’s voice breaks as he closes final BBC Radio 4 Today broadcast by thanking listeners

'All of you who listen need to be thanked too. You are the programme'

John Humphrys pats James Naughtie on the shoulder after his emotional farewell

James Naughtie was audibly emotional as he bid farewell to listeners on BBC Radio 4's flagship show the Today programme after 21 years.

The presenter’s voice broke as he thanked the listeners who have started most mornings by listening to his voice discussing the news and current affairs on Today. Naughtie will continue to work for Today and other BBC programmes as a special correspondent, but he was offered the floor for a moment to say goodbye by his long-time co-presenter, John Humphrys.

“You can’t sit in this chair and work with such talented and decent producers without being woven into the fabric of the programme which I am, with all the presenters down the year, especially Sarah, Justin and Michelle, as well as my old friend here, with whom I started and with whom I now finish," he said. "I’ll be giving them my thanks."

“All of you who listen need to be thanked too,” Naughtie went on, his voice breaking. “You are the programme. Thank you. From John and from me, good morning.”

The BBC radio stalwart has conducted a number of memorable interviews with Prime Ministers, politicians, actors, musicians and noteworthy figures during the course of his distinguished career in broadcasting.

He has had some slightly more NSFW moments too, including the infamous ‘spoonerism’ when he unintentionally introduced the former culture secretary Jeremy Hunt as Jeremy C**t. Naughtie couldn't resist referencing the gaffe ahead of his goodbye.

When asked what he hadn’t enjoyed about his time on the show, he joked: “Well, getting things wrong. I can’t remember who the Culture Secretary is at the moment, but anyway, we won’t go there.”