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Presenter Tony Livesey departs BBC Radio 5 Live after 16 years
The broadcaster stepped back from his 5 Live show in June after being named in a Panorama investigation into David Sullivan.
BBC Sounds/ YouTube
- Molly Moss
Published: Monday, 3 August 2026 at 4:08 pm
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Presenter Tony Livesey has officially departed BBC Radio 5 Live after 16 years at the station.
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Livesey stepped back from presenting his weekend late night talk show in June amid scrutiny over his time as editor-in-chief of the Sport newspapers, under David Sullivan.
Multiple women accused Sullivan, the billionaire co-owner of West Ham, of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour over several decades.
Sullivan has strongly denied the allegations.
The allegations were made in a joint investigation by the Times and BBC Panorama.
The investigation also raised questions for Livesey, with one alleged victim saying that he had arranged a meeting between her and Sullivan in 1999.
Livesey said he had “no recollection” of introducing the young woman to Sullivan and that it was “not part” of his job to do so.
David Sullivan. Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
In an email sent to 5 Live staff on Monday morning, the station’s controller, Heidi Dawson, wrote: “I wanted to let you know that Tony Livesey has decided to leave his presenting role on 5 Live."
She continued: “Tony has worked at 5 Live for 16 years and was the first voice for us on air as we launched from our new home in Salford.
“Tony has been at the heart of our coverage of every major news and sporting event for a decade and a half.
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“Tony has asked me to pass on his heartfelt thanks to the brilliant colleagues at 5 Live who he has had the pleasure of working with over the years. I know many of you have also really enjoyed working with Tony, and we wish him well for all his future endeavours.”
Livesey spent 18 years at Mr Sullivan’s Sport newspapers, becoming editor-in-chief.
He departed from the company in 2006 to work for the BBC, and appeared on 5 Live from 2010 onwards.
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Authors
Molly MossTrends Writer
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
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