Jacques Legros presented his last "1 p.m." show on TF1, where he had been the joker for twenty-six years.

The joker of TF1's "1 p.m." news for twenty-six years, Jacques Legros, 74, presented his last television news on Friday, before handing over to Isabelle Ithurburu in mid-July. "I would like to thank you all for these wonderful years in your company," he said to the editorial staff, who had prepared a report on his career to close the news, in a simple and modest farewell. "Thank you also to you, dear viewers, for your loyalty, your complicity," he continued, holding back tears.

Jacques Legros was joined on set by the woman who would succeed him as the joker for France's first "1 p.m." news program. "Thank you for the welcome, thank you for your kindness (...). You have forged an incredible bond with the French people," Isabelle Ithurburu told him, also moved. His elder brother told him an anecdote about a viewer who felt like she was having lunch with him because she was watching his news: "That's the "1 p.m." news, preserve it," he concluded.

A joker replaces the incumbent of a newscast during their leave. Since 2021, TF1's midday news has been presented during the week by Marie-Sophie Lacarrau, who succeeded the iconic Jean-Pierre Pernaut, who remained at the helm for thirty-three years and died in March 2022. "Two women from the South, Marie-Sophie Lacarrau and you, succeed (...) two men from the North," Mr. Legros, a native of Pas-de-Calais, told Isabelle Ithurburu from Pau.

Jacques Legros presented his first "13 heures" as a joker for Jean-Pierre Pernaut on July 19, 1999. He had made his television debut in 1994 on LCI, TF1's news channel. Previously, he had worked for Radio France, notably for the creation of France Info in 1987, and RTL. On TF1, he also co-presented entertainment programs, such as "Plein les yeux" and "Les 30 histoires les plus extraordinaires" .

For his latest news, he covered topics such as the election of Pope Leo XIV , the weekend weather, Russia's celebration of the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany, and the best sandwich in France (in Metz).

The audience leader in its time slot, TF1's 1 p.m. news, which focuses on local and regional news, attracted an average of 4.4 million viewers from Monday to Sunday in April, according to figures from Médiamétrie.

On rival channel France 2, the 1 p.m. news presenter, Julian Bugier, addressed a "friendly greeting" to Jacques Legros at the end of his news: "We wish him good luck and many good things for the future."