ITV sports activities host quits after 30 years and points emotional assertion – ‘it has been superb’
A legendary ITV sports presenter has announced she is stepping down from working for the broadcaster after almost three decades, releasing an emotional statement describing her time as ‘nothing short of amazing’
Louise Goodman has stepped down from ITV(Image: Sutton Images, Sutton Imagesvia Getty Images)
A renowned ITV host who presented coverage of her beloved sport for 30 years has announced she has quit in an emotional statement.
Presenter Louise Goodman has described her stint at ITV as ‘nothing short of amazing’ as she confirms her exit from the broadcaster’s motorsport programming in a heartfelt announcement. The 63-year-old has been a recognisable presence on ITV for nearly three decades, initially establishing herself in 1997 as a pit-lane correspondent for the channel’s Formula One broadcasts.
Throughout her career, Goodman delivered reports from the centre of the F1 paddock during a golden period showcasing some of motorsport’s greatest legends, including Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and Fernando Alonso, alongside Lewis Hamilton’s remarkable ascent to stardom.
Louise Goodman was a popular F1 presenter(Image: Andy Hone, LAT Imagesvia Getty Images)
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Her concluding race with ITV’s F1 squad was the memorable 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix, where Hamilton secured his first World Championship at the final bend of the closing lap.
Goodman contributed to making Formula One programming a cornerstone of British Sunday sporting television. Her expertise and dedication positioned her as one of the premier pit-lane correspondents of her era, while also becoming one of the most beloved personalities in the British Touring Car Championship.
Following her transition to covering the BTCC on ITV4 from 2009, Goodman has now chosen to conclude her lengthy and illustrious broadcasting journey.
In a statement, the legendary presenter penned: “I’ve decided to step down from ITV Sport’s team covering the British Touring Car Championship. It brings an end to an amazing chapter with ITV, which started almost exactly 30 years ago when they took a punt on a total novice and offered me a pit lane reporter role with their brand new F1 team.
Louise Goodman was an F1 pitlane reporter for ITV(Image: Sutton Images, Sutton Imagesvia Getty Images)
“Since 2007, I have found a very happy, welcoming home in the BTCC paddock and I am going to deeply miss my brilliant, tight-knit immediate team, the wider ITV family, and the countless wonderful people who makeup the BTCC and all the support paddocks.
“To everyone who has been a part of this ride – from F1 to touring cars, on screen, off screen, watching at home or just shouting at your telly when I call someone by the wrong name – thank you. Thank you for the fun, the friendships and most of all the fabulous racing. What a way to earn my pennies all these years. It’s been nothing short of amazing”.
Supporters expressed their disappointment on social media, with one posting on X: “Such a shame. Best in the business,” while a second added: “She will be missed, a huge part of what makes BTCC such a world-class championship.”.
A third declared: “Absolutely gutted the BTCC has lost a diamond. She will be sadly hard to replace,” while another concluded: “Happy retirement, Louise. The paddock won’t be the same.”
