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Jan Hofer at the end of his last »Tagesschau« on Monday evening
Photo: - / dpa
During his last words as spokesman for the ARD “Tagesschau” on Monday evening, Jan Hofer simply took off his tie: “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, do it well” - so he said goodbye as “Mr.
Tagesschau «said Hofer after more than 35 years as a newscaster and 16 years as chief spokesman and took off his tie.
At 8 p.m. he read the news from Germany and the world for the last time.
This time they were mainly about Corona and the presidential election in the USA, the poison attack against the Kremlin opponent Alexej Navalny and the football championship.
At the end of the broadcast, Hofer himself became the message.
He didn't have to read them out himself, however.
When he left, he received his own news film from the “Tagesschau” team, which his successor Jens Riewa announced.
The film began with the news of Boris Becker's first Wimbledon victory read out by Hofer in 1985, went through the fall of the Wall in 1989 to the attacks of September 11, 2001 and Angela Merkel's chancellorship.
And criticism was also alluded to - for example, angry audience reactions when Hofer presented the 2014 World Cup final in outerwear that resembled the jersey colors of Germany's opponent Argentina.
Hofer himself used the time after the weather for a few words of thanks to the audience and his colleagues.
"Thank you for the unbelievable number of good wishes that have reached me in the last few days." He had expected everything, "but not this incredible number".
Hofer apologized for not being able to answer all the farewell greetings - but he had read all of them.
NDR director Joachim Knuth paid tribute to Hofer on Monday as an "institution".
"Quiet, thoughtful, serious. Jan Hofer is an institution and has been the face and voice of television news in Germany for decades. He has managed to keep up with the times without bending," said Knuth, according to the announcement German living rooms are missing. "
Hofer started his media career with radio.
Later, in addition to his work as a newscaster, he was also the presenter of television and talk shows, including 20 years for the MDR's Riverboat.
16 years ago he became chief spokesman for the »Tagesschau«.
After around 36 years in the "Tagesschau" service, saying goodbye is not difficult for him, Hofer told the German Press Agency in Hamburg on Monday.
For example, he likes to do without getting up early and shift work.
Now he is looking forward to more time for his family and hobbies.
Hofer has four children and is married to a second marriage.
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