TWO of UTV's best known broadcasters bade a final fond farewell to their colleagues yesterday.
It was announced in December that Ken Reid and Frank Mitchell had both taken voluntary redundancy packages and yesterday, the pair spent their final day at UTV.
Mr Mitchell joined the station in 1987 as a continuity announcer and news presenter.
He went on to front several programmes including School Around the Corner, End to End and Ultimate Ulster. He also presented UTV Life for 10 years with Pamela Ballantine.
He has been presenting the weather since 1994, totting up more than 22,000 forecasts.
He will continue with his radio presenting career, hosting his daily morning phone-in show on U105.
Having joined UTV in 1994, Mr Reid became an almost nightly figure on the news reporting on the north's politics.
A key contributor to View from Stormont, UTV's one-hour weekly political show, he has also reported extensively from Belfast, Dublin, Westminster, Brussels and Washington, covering several key political events.
Yesterday, colleagues and others flooded social media with tributes to the pair.
Posting a photo on Twitter of himself with Ken, Frank and Tracey Magee, who is to replace Mr Reid as political editor, Chris Hagan, UTV News Editor, wrote: "Today we bid a final farewell from UTV to these two legends. What fantastic careers they've had.
"Sadly we won't be able to get another photo like this. To both, as he always says: take care, be good, bye-bye."
Jane Loughrey, a former UTV correspondent, who also recently left the broadcaster, said: "They are absolute legends and lovely people. They will be sorely missed from the UTV newsroom".
The US Consulate Belfast tweeted to say Ken Reid reported on "some of the most important stories that shaped our understanding of the world and gained the respect of those he interviewed".
"We wish him well for a happy retirement".
Mr Reid thanked everyone for their "kind messages".
"Quite emotional today and frustrated my going away gig will be virtual. Will get a chance to say goodbye on @UTVNews."
On his way into work on his final day, Frank Mitchell tweeted: "Later today I'll arrive @utv for the last time after 34 years working with the most wonderfully talented and friendly people.
"It's a special day for me and it's been a joy the whole way through".
