Former Lancaster Guardian journalist to retire from BBC

Former Lancaster Guardian journalist Dave Guest retires on Friday after becoming one of the best-known faces on the region's TV screens.
Dave Guest.Dave Guest.
Dave Guest.

He has spent the past 38 years with the BBC's North West Tonight and its predecessor Look North West.

As researcher, editor and chief reporter, Dave has helped document key moments in the life of the region from the Hillsborough football stadium disaster to the Manchester arena bomb.

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"Dave has filled just about every role in front of and behind the cameras - and he has excelled in every one," said Michelle Mayman, current editor of North West Tonight.

Dave followed his father John into journalism after leaving Heysham High School in 1975 to become a junior reporter with the Lancaster Guardian.

"We knew Dave was going places when he left us as chief reporter at such an early age," said Alan Sandham, news editor at the time. "What a brilliant career he has had."

For the past 17 years he has filmed and edited his own reports, covering some of the major stories in the region.

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"I've met some fascinating, remarkable and awe-inspiring people," said Dave.

"I've also worked with some of the BBC's most talented individuals, many of whom have gone on to enjoy outstanding careers.

"I wouldn't have missed a moment of it and look forward to watching the continued success of North West Tonight as a viewer."

But Dave, who lives in Wigan and is married with two daughters, does not intend to spend all day sitting in front of the TV.

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He plans to continue his interest in film-making and hopes to pursue other ventures once the Covid-19 crisis abates.

Dave has been honoured several times by the broadcasting industry.

He became the inaugural 02 Media Awards' TV broadcast journalist of the year in 2009 while five years later he received the judges' award for outstanding contribution at the BBC's Ruby Awards for regional television and was nominated for best regional news journalist by the Royal Television Society.

This Friday will be Dave's last appearance on North West Tonight.

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"All of us will miss Dave very much and wish him the best for the future," said Michelle.

Dave is one of two of North West Tonight’s longest serving reporters to have taken the decision to leave the BBC as part of the corporation’s current voluntary redundancy scheme.

Senior journalist Stuart Flinders left the programme on October 12 after almost 30 years.

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