Veteran broadcaster Moira Stuart has resigned from the BBC, reigniting a debate over ageism at the corporation.

The BBC’s first black female newscaster was removed from BBC Breakfast last year and Andrew Marr’s Sunday AM programme in March. Influential broadcasters, including John Humphrys, Jeremy Paxman and Joan Bakewell, demanded the 58-year-old was reinstated. While the corporation denied its decisions were ageist, it left Stuart without a regular BBC slot.

Today the corporation confirmed that after 34 years at BBC News Stuart had resigned to work on "a wider range of projects".

Helen Boaden, Director of BBC News said: "Throughout her 30-plus years at the BBC Moira has achieved a great deal.

"She has always been a model professional as well as being much loved and admired by both the public and her BBC colleagues. Everyone in BBC News wishes her all the best for the future."

Stuart's spokeswoman Sue Ayton said: "Over the last few months there have been lots of requests for Moira and now we're able to look to the future."

Stuart, known for her professionalism, has never spoken publicly over being dropped from BBC Breakfast or the Andrew Marr programme, but is believed to have been disappointed. As well as cries for her return from fellow broadcasters - Michael Buerk, Michael Crick, Sue MacGregor, Sir Trevor McDonald and Jon Snow all complained – letter-to-the editor writers were furious.

The BBC’s director general Mark Thompson was forced to defend Stuart's removal in front of The House of Commons Culture Media and Sport select committee. He argued that the role of the traditional newsreader was dead, while assuring the committee that the BBC was in discussions with Stuart about her furture with the corporation.

Although she never trained as a journalist, Stuart has presented almost every news bulletin on the BBC, and six years ago was awarded an OBE. She began her career as an actress, becoming a continuity announcer and newsreader on Radio 4 and Radio 2 before moving into television.

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