ITV MOTORSPORT LEGEND LOUISE GOODMAN QUITS AFTER ALMOST 30 YEARS — HER EMOTIONAL FAREWELL LEAVES FANS FEARING THE LOSS OF A BTCC ‘DIAMOND’

Louise Goodman is stepping away from ITV Sport after almost three decades on screen, bringing an end to a remarkable broadcasting career that has taken her from the heart of Formula One to the British Touring Car Championship.

The 63-year-old presenter announced her decision in an emotional statement, reflecting on the opportunity that launched her career in 1997, when ITV took a chance on a newcomer and offered her a role as a pit-lane reporter for its new Formula One team.

Since then, Goodman has become one of British motorsport’s most recognisable faces, earning a reputation for her knowledge, professionalism and ability to bring viewers closer to the action.

Now, as she prepares to leave the BTCC paddock, fans are already making clear just how much her presence will be missed.

‘NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING’

Goodman confirmed that she had decided to step down from ITV Sport’s team covering the British Touring Car Championship, describing her time with the broadcaster as an extraordinary chapter in her life.

“I’ve decided to step down from ITV Sport’s team covering the British Touring Car Championship. It brings an end to an amazing chapter with ITV, which started almost exactly 30 years ago when they took a punt on a total novice and offered me a pit lane reporter role with their brand new F1 team,” she said.

Her career began during a memorable period for Formula One, when she reported from the paddock as some of the sport’s biggest names made their mark.

Michael Schumacher, Mika Häkkinen and Fernando Alonso were among the stars she covered, while she also witnessed Lewis Hamilton’s remarkable rise to the top of the sport.

Goodman’s final race with ITV’s Formula One team was the unforgettable 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix. Hamilton secured his maiden World Championship on the final corner of the last lap, delivering one of the most dramatic title finishes in the sport’s history.

It was a fittingly memorable moment to close that chapter of her career before she became an established presence in British touring car racing.

A MUCH-LOVED FACE IN THE BTCC PADDOCK

After moving into ITV4’s British Touring Car Championship coverage in 2009, Goodman found what she described as a happy and welcoming home among the teams, drivers and wider paddock community.

She paid tribute to the colleagues and supporters who had made the experience so special, acknowledging that leaving would mean saying goodbye to people who had become an important part of her professional life.

“Since 2007, I have found a very happy, welcoming home in the BTCC paddock and I am going to deeply miss my brilliant, tight-knit immediate team, the wider ITV family, and the countless wonderful people who make up the BTCC and all the support paddocks,” she said.

Her farewell also extended to the viewers who had followed her career, including those who had watched from home and occasionally called out their televisions when she got a name wrong.

“To everyone who has been a part of this ride – from F1 to touring cars, on screen, off screen, watching at home or just shouting at your telly when I call someone by the wrong name – thank you. Thank you for the fun, the friendships and most of all the fabulous racing.”

She ended her message with a heartfelt reflection on the career she has enjoyed.

“What a way to earn my pennies all these years. It’s been nothing short of amazing.”

‘BEST IN THE BUSINESS’ — FANS PAY TRIBUTE

Goodman’s announcement prompted an outpouring of appreciation on social media, with fans praising her contribution to motorsport broadcasting and expressing sadness at her departure.

One viewer wrote on X: “Such a shame. Best in the business.”

Another said: “She will be missed, a huge part of what makes BTCC such a world-class championship.”

A third fan was equally emotional, writing: “Absolutely gutted the BTCC has lost a diamond. She will be sadly hard to replace.”

Another message summed up the feeling among supporters: “Happy retirement, Louise. The paddock won’t be the same.”

After nearly 30 years with ITV, Goodman leaves behind a career spanning two major chapters of British motorsport coverage, from Formula One’s biggest personalities to the fiercely competitive world of touring cars.

Her own words were filled with gratitude rather than regret, but the reaction from fans has underlined the mark she has made. For many viewers, she was far more than a familiar face beside the track — she was part of what made watching the racing feel special.