After eighteen years, Alex Lovell left her BBC show to work for a rival network.

The BBC anchor revealed her “huge decision” to quit the station for ITV and thanked her coworkers and viewers.

Since 2005, the 50-year-old has anchored BBC Points West.

She will now be back again with Sabet “Seb” Choudhury as co-host of ITV Westcountry in January. The two formerly appeared together on the BBC before the latter joined ITV last year.

Alex posted on social media, saying, “I have made the difficult choice to leave BBC Points West at the end of November after 18 years of hosting the show.

“Thank you to all my amazing colleagues and lovely viewers for all the love, laughs, and tears – we’ve shared it all haven’t we.”

“I am super excited to be joining @itvwestcountry in December and I will be in the studio with my lovely friend @Sebchoudhury in January.”

Ian Axton of ITV development also tweeted confirmation of the development, saying, “Very excited that Alex Lovell will be joining ITV Westcountry in January to present our programs alongside Sabet Choudhury.” What a group!”

With a hearty welcome on Twitter, ITV sports reporter Ross Arnott wrote, “Welcome Alex Lovell – looking forward to seeing you reunite with Mr. Sabet Choudhury.”

Welcome also from Robert Murphy, who wrote: “Hello, Alex Lovell! Sabet Choudhury should start acting appropriately.”

After leaving her current position at the end of November, Alex will start working for her new employers in the new year.

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