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Weather presenter leaves Look East after 26 years

Andrew Florides Julie Reinger in a head and shoulders image in which she is smiling at the camera and wearing a multi-coloured, patterned shirt Andrew Florides
Julie Reinger was "so nervous" when she made her first appearances on Look East

Come rain or shine, a familiar, friendly face has told us about the weather for more than a quarter of a century. In her own words, presenter Julie Reinger reflects on treasured memories as she leaves Look East.

This is surreal.

Look East has been a huge part of my life.

I joined at the start of 1999 and my goodness, how things have changed since then.

Those first broadcasts, I was so nervous because I was taking over from the lovely Ivor Moores, who the audience loved and he was such a good meteorologist.

Julie Reigner, in a green formal jacket, standing in front of a weather forecast map showing the word Tomorrow and Peterborough, Kettering, Ely, Cambridge, Northampton, Milton Keynes and Luton, the wind speed 5 shown in a black circle with an arrow pointing north, two clouds with sunshine, and 4, 5 and 6 in yellow circles

More than anything, I wanted to do a good job for him. They were big weather shoes to fill.

It's such a contrast, those early days when you look back - how dated the weather maps look compared to all our computer-animated graphics now.

I had a weather clicker but when I pressed it it didn't do anything, it didn't change the charts. There was somebody in the gallery next door pressing a button and when it got very noisy during a busy programme that person couldn't hear what I was saying and sometimes I'd get stuck on something like the pressure chart for what felt like an eternity.

Contributed An older picture of Julie Reinger and Susie Fowler-Watt in sunglasses smiling at the camera on a sunny day wearing red jackets and red lifejackets. They are on a boat with the sea and the coastline behind them.Contributed
Julie Reinger and Susie Fowler-Watt have worked together since the late 1990s, including at this outside broadcast in Harwich

People still say to me 'what's it like reading the weather?' but of course we don't, we have to memorise it because we're used as the buffer at the end of the programme to fill whatever duration is left. You can guarantee when you have lots of weather to talk about you don't have much time.

Once, I went into the forecast thinking I was doing two minutes and then something went wrong and I could hear the PA saying 'you're going to have to fill', and I think I ended up doing about five minutes in total. I was pregnant at the time - I thought I was actually going to give birth on set!

Julie Reigner, in a black top, pictured in front a bank of TV screens in the Look East gallery
Julie also worked across BBC local radio

I may not be a meteorologist but I care deeply about the weather. Everybody talks about it and now more than ever, when it comes to reporting on climate change.

But that said, I do think the forecast, at the end of the programme, is an opportunity for some fun and laughter too.

Julie Reinger smiling at a studio screen wearing a pink flowery top and pink trousers. She is stood at the left, and on the right is a forecast for the week ahead showing temperatures, weather symbols and wind speeds.The photo in the background is of green fields and hedgerows
Julie's studio set-up changed immeasurably during her time at BBC Look East

I've always loved taking the forecast out and about, just because it's a great opportunity to visit some amazing places in our region but most importantly to meet our viewers, which is very special.

I did a lot of forecasts on ice, when we had the rink right outside The Forum, that's always a challenge - you've not only got to remember what you're saying, and talk to time, you've got to stay on two feet.

There were forecasts where I was getting on and off boats, with a lot to remember whilst trying not to fall in. I've done forecasts coming down the river, I've had forecasts on trains, on big wheels, just so many lovely memories.

Contributed Mike Liggins in a pink check shirt smiling at the camera and Julie Reinger on the right, wearing a pink flowery top with a bow. They are outside in the Norfolk Broads area, an expanse of water is visible in the background and it is a sunny day.Contributed
Julie worked with many BBC presenters and reporters over the years, including former reporter Mike Liggins

Once, for Children in Need, I got to dress up as Eliza Doolittle and perform at the Felixstowe Spa Pavilion, and sing my favourite song from My Fair Lady. My goodness, it was like a dream come true.

On a trip to St Osyth [near Clacton-on-Sea, Essex] I ended up filming on a nudist beach. These very brave Look East viewers agreed to take part with the help of a strategically-placed umbrella. I thankfully kept my clothes on.

One of my favourite parts of the job is to come in and look through all the incredible photographs sent in by our Weather Watchers.

I love the fact that people feel they can come up to me in the street and talk to me like as if they've known me for years. That always made me feel I was doing my job well.

Andrew Florides Julie Reinger wearing a red and pink striped top and light blue dungareesAndrew Florides
Julie loves meeting the audience when she is out and about

It's a big decision to leave, and not one I've made easily, but it felt the time was right to say goodbye.

It's been 26 years of my life - that's quite a chapter.

What I will miss most is the people, both on and off screen. There's a wonderful quote by AA Milne - 'How lucky I am to have something, that makes saying goodbye so hard'.

Look East has been a very special something that I've been very lucky to be part of.

I will miss my Look East family and the people watching and listening, very, very much.

As told to Susie Fowler-Watt

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