Tributes have been paid to Jon Snow, known to TV viewers for his loud ties and calm anchoring of Channel 4 News for more than three decades, as the 74-year-old journalist signed off on his last programme. Snow, whose memorable appearances have ranged from grilling government ministers to reports from war zones, will continue to work with Channel 4 on long-form projects and spend more time focusing on his charitable work. On Thursday night, in his emotional closing remarks, he paid tribute to his colleagues and the regulators “that have given us an hour of independent news in primetime”. He also praised “all the people who have trusted me with their stories, all over the world, often in appalling circumstances,” and the viewers, saying: “It has been the greatest privilege of my life to bring you the news.” The show closed with him walking through the newsroom saying farewell to colleagues. It ended with credits with his name next to the titles of Voice, Mentor, Leader, Inspiration, Driving Force, Moral Compass and Friend. Krishnan Guru-Murthy, a member of the Channel 4 News presenting team, described Snow on Twitter as an “extraordinary human being, who’s been there at some of the most amazing moments of history.” He wrote: “He’s always been the most energetic, enthusiastic, committed and questioning TV journalist – who has brought compassion and humanity to his reporting wherever he goes. Viewers love him. And even those politicians who disagree and get angry with him respect him.” The Channel 4 News correspondent Ciaran Jenkins shared a video of Snow performing a sea shanty that went viral on TikTok earlier this year. “The legendary @jonsnowC4 presents @Channel4News for the last time tonight. A superb journalist, unique communicator and an inspiration to so many of us,” he said. Referencing the lyrics of the shanty, Jenkins added: “‘One day when the tonguing is done we’ll take our leave and go.’ “We’ll miss you so much Jon.” The ITV News presenter Lucrezia Millarini described Snow as a legend, adding: “Wow. A constant on-screen presence in my household growing up. Then I was lucky enough to work in the same building.” Snow, whose father was the bishop of Whitby, started his career in journalism at LBC in 1973 and moved to ITN in 1976, where he served as Washington correspondent and diplomatic editor. He became the main presenter of Channel 4 News in 1989. Channel 4 has previously said Snow will now “focus on his charities and some of his many passions in life, people’s stories, inequality, Africa, Iran and the arts”. The veteran broadcaster spoke last month to the Observer about becoming a father again at 74, and of being thought of as “a mad, bonkers, lefty oddity”.