A daredevil broadcaster who formerly worked for BBC Radio Oxford and scaled a 600ft chimney without a harness has retired after half a century in the trade.

Garry Richardson, 68, presented the sports bulletin on Radio Four’s Today programme for the final time this morning (September 9).

He joined the BBC in 1974 and got a job in BBC local radio in 1977, working at BBC Radio Solent, Radio Oxford, Radio Merseyside and Radio Nottingham

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He finished on a high, 50 years to the day since he began his BBC career, with interviews with former England manager Kevin Keegan and two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.

Mr Richardson has interviewed some of the biggest names in the worlds of sport, showbiz and politics, from Bill Clinton and Muhammad Ali to Nelson Mandela and Pele.

The BBC played a montage of his highlights, including “the biggest moment of my career”, interviewing former US president Clinton live on Centre Court at Wimbledon during a rain break.

The clips included coaxing horse racing tips from prime minister David Cameron and introducing Serena and Venus Williams to singer Dionne Warwick.

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There was also audio of a young Mr Richardson climbing a 600-foot chimney without a harness for BBC Radio Oxford, complete with an Alan Partridge-esque exclamation of “I’m very frightened indeed at the moment”.

As he said goodbye, Mr Richardson thanked all the producers, correspondents and colleagues he worked with dating back to Brian Redhead, the Today presenter when he joined the show in 1981.

“Most of all, thanks to the listeners,” he added, before joking: “I can come back tomorrow.”