Dame Jenni Murray is to leave BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour after 33 years at the helm.

The presenter said she will be “moving on to a new stage in her long and distinguished broadcasting career” after joining the programme in 1987. 

The 70-year-old is currently the longest serving presenter of Woman’s Hour in the show’s 74-year history. 

Dame Jenni said in a statement: “I’ve spent nearly half my life with Woman’s Hour and it’s been a privilege ‎and delight to inform, educate and entertain a loyal and growing audience of women and men.

“Saying goodbye will be very hard to do, but it’s time to move on.”

The BBC’s outgoing director general Lord Tony Hall also paid tribute to her, saying: “Jenni Murray is a remarkable broadcaster and few have matched her outstanding contribution to the BBC and our audience.

“For more than three decades, Jenni has been an unmistakable and warm voice that has interviewed many of the most well-known women in the world, and helped illuminate issues that matter. The radio airwaves won’t be the same without her.”

Mohit Bakaya, controller of Radio 4, added: “Jenni is one of the most loved voices on Radio 4. 

“For more than 30 years she has tackled important issues on behalf of listeners, opening up sometimes difficult conversations about the experiences of women and shining a light on subjects that have often been sadly neglected.

“I want to thank her for her wonderful commitment to Woman’s Hour, to Radio 4 in general, and for the passion she has shown for the topics explored during her time on the programme. I wish her the very best with her plans for the future.”

During her tenure, Dame Jenni has interviewed high-profile figures such as Bette Davis, Margaret Thatcher, Barbara Castle,‎ Shirley Williams, Gloria Steinem, Monica Lewinsky, Hillary Clinton, Anna Politkovskaya, Kate McCann, Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, Wangari Maathai, Benazir Bhutto, Dame Judi Dench, Saoirse Ronan and Joan Baez, who sang Diamonds And Rust in the studio especially for her.

Dame Jenni will host her final programme on 1 October. 

A new Woman’s Hour presenter will be announced in due course.