Veteran TV reporter Keith Wilkinson has announced he is leaving ITV News Central after 35 years.
Keith is one of ITV's longest serving on-screen journalists. He began his career as a newspaper reporter in 1974.
But Keith is not retiring. He says he plans to totally re-invent himself as a freelance writer and author of books.
Keith spoke to ITV News Central presenter Matt Teale about his 35 years at ITV.
For 10 years Keith worked for local newspapers in various parts of England before joining Central News in 1984. He says he loves writing and now aims to switch back to the printed word.
One of Keith's hobbies is walking and he wants to take on some long distance hikes, like the 84-mile-long Hadrian's Wall, as well as trekking in the mountains of Wales and the Lake District.
Things have change a lot in television since Keith Wilkinson first appeared on our screens in the Central region - and, occasionally, on the national ITV News.
Keith remembers those days well.
Keith Wilkinson on a live broadcast during the Stafford Hospital Scandal. Credit: Richard Eaton
Keith has in recent years been one of the many television news reporters who have become video journalists - filming and editing most of their own stories as self-shooters.
He was one of the pioneers in this field and won an award from ITV for his "outstanding contribution" in the training and mentoring of regional television journalists across Britain.
Keith has reported on some of the ITV Central region's biggest news stories over the past 35 years. He was at the Handsworth Riots of 1985 and he covered a number of major disturbances on the streets of Coventry.
He's had many exclusives. He became particularly well known as a crime reporter for his investigations into miscarriages of justice, like the case of the Birmingham Six.
He was the first television reporter to interview members of the Bridgewater Four when they were still serving life in prison, long before they were set free by the Court of Appeal.
Keith reported on the case of the kidnapped estate agent Stephanie Slater, who was abducted by the killer Michael Sams. Stephanie gave her first television interviews to Keith and he made a documentary with her. They became good friends.
Keith has won many awards for his journalism. Most notably he was the national winner of the BT Broadcaster of the Year award for 1996.
Keith Wilkinson on board an RAF Hercules aircraft over Wolverhampton with cameraman Pat Fenelon Credit: Pat Fenelon
Keith's father, a self-employed painter and decorator, was left a single parent after Keith lost his mother to breast cancer when he was just two years old.
Keith's dad flew in RAF bombers in the Second World War and had one of the most dangerous jobs of all - the tail gunner.
Despite his reputation as a hard news reporter, Keith says he always preferred working on light-hearted stories, especially ones that made people laugh.
Keith made national headlines when he had a bucket of water poured on his head by the then star of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, Chris Tarrant.
Keith is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, and concentrate of his writing.
