Julia Hartley-Brewer is leaving Talk to pursue new journalistic projects and write opinion pieces for The Sun, with her final programme scheduled for 19 November. Alex Phillips will succeed her as the station’s mid-morning presenter.

News Broadcasting announced the departure on Thursday. Hartley-Brewer, 58, joined the station in March 2016 and presents the mid-morning show from Monday to Thursday. Phillips currently broadcasts from Friday to Sunday.

Hartley-Brewer described her time at Talk as “a privilege and a pleasure”, recalling coverage of Brexit, Trump, Covid, lockdowns and conflicts in Westminster and overseas.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have created together over 10 wonderful years,” she said.

She thanked her colleagues and those working behind the scenes, reserving particular praise for the listeners and viewers who had joined her each day “to laugh, argue and cut through the spin with me”. She also praised the production team and wished the station continued success.

Scott Taunton, president of News Broadcasting, described Hartley-Brewer as an “integral part of Talk’s DNA”. He credited her “tenacity, sharp wit, and fearless journalistic instincts” with helping to establish the station nationally, and said she had consistently set the news agenda and given her audience a powerful voice.

The appointment keeps the programme in the hands of an existing Talk presenter. Phillips called Hartley-Brewer a “genuine broadcasting titan” and described following her as a “tremendous honour”. She characterised Talk as a space for open debate where common sense came first.

Phillips signalled that political scrutiny would remain central to the programme: “The energy and ambition across the station is palpable, and I can’t wait to hold this Government – and the whole political class – to proper account.”