Clive James to leave Daily Telegraph

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/15/clive-james-to-leave-daily-telegraph-tv-critic

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Clive James is to leave his role as TV critic on the Daily Telegraph after three years.

James has suffered ill health in recent years including leukaemia, kidney failure and lung cancer.

There was no suggestion in the 74-year-old's most recent column, in the Telegraph's Review supplement on Saturday, that he was leaving.

A source close to the Telegraph confirmed his departure, describing it as "by mutual consent". It is not clear whether he has written his last review for the paper.

His departure comes four months after the departure of the man who hired him, former Telegraph editor Tony Gallagher.

Gallagher left the paper in January following the appointment of former PBS head of digital Jason Seiken as Telegraph Media Group chief content officer and editor-in-chief.

James, a prolific author and TV presenter whose career spans five decades, joined the Telegraph in 2011.

He said in an interview two years ago, talking about his illness, that he was "getting near the end" of his life.

The Australian star made his name as a TV critic on the Observer, which he joined in 1972 and remained for the next 10 years. Selections from his column were later collected in three books.

James said he joined the Telegraph after "flattering attempts by various newspapers and magazines to get me to resume it".

"The Telegraph were carrying much heavier artillery [and] had caught me, I confess, at the right time. I'm never comfortable when living on my pension," he said on his website.

James said he only signed six-month contracts because of his illness.

He said: "Even if I'm not as quick as I used to be I'm still quite comprehensive, because finally it all depends on judgment, and judgment is something you get more of the longer you last."

James added: "One of the reasons that the Telegraph does so well financially is that they pay attention to the wishes of their audience."

James declined to comment. The Telegraph Media Group had not commented at the time of publication.

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