Lester Holt delivered his last report as “NBC Nightly Information” anchor Friday after 10 years on the desk, leaving viewers with phrases of gratitude and optimism.

Holt, 66, earlier this yr introduced that he can be leaving “Nightly” this summer time. However he’s not leaving the community: Going ahead, he plans to commit himself full time to NBC Information’ “Dateline,” which he has anchored since 2011.

“As anchor, it has been an honor to steer this program and an honor to be welcomed into your properties,” Holt advised viewers on his final broadcast. “I’m so grateful on your belief round right here. Round right here, info matter, phrases matter, journalism issues and also you matter.”

He continued, “During the last decade, now we have shared some darkish and harrowing days and nights from our nation — the pandemic, mass shootings, pure disasters — every testing our resilience and our compassion. It’s why I usually like to go away you with one thing to smile about, moments that reassure and join us. I’ll miss our evenings collectively, and I’ll miss the crew that places all of it collectively, my expensive mates and my colleagues. However for now, I simply wish to say thanks to my extremely supportive and affected person household and all of you.”

On a programming observe, Holt stated Tom Llamas will make his debut as “NBC Nightly Information” anchor on Monday, June 2. “I want Tom nice success,” he stated.

SEE ALSO: Lester Holt Will Exit NBC’s ‘Nightly,’ however Not Information: ‘I Nonetheless Had Fuel within the Tank’

On the finish of the published, surrounded by the present’s staffers, Holt once more delivered his signature parting phrases: “For all of us at ‘NBC Nightly Information,’ goodnight, so lengthy. Please care for your self and one another.”

Amid raucous applause from his colleagues, Holt then received a bit choked up, saying, “Oh my goodness. It has been fairly a trip. Thanks, all people.” (Watch his full sign-off beneath.)

Holt was named anchor of “NBC Nightly Information” in June 2015, taking on duties after the controversial exit of his predecessor, Brian Williams. Beforehand, Holt anchored the weekend editions of “NBC Nightly Information” for eight years and co-anchored “Weekend As we speak” for 12 years.

Previous to changing into co-anchor of “Weekend As we speak” in 2003, Holt anchored “Lester Holt Dwell,” a each day information present on MSNBC and served as a major anchor for the cable community’s protection of main information occasions. Holt got here to MSNBC after 14 years at CBS’s Chicago station WBBM, the place he served because the afternoon and night information anchor. After learning authorities at California State College in Sacramento, he started his tv journalism profession as a reporter at WCBS in New York in 1981. The next yr he moved to Los Angeles to report for KCBS (then KNXT) earlier than returning to WCBS in 1984.

Watch Holt’s parting message to “Nightly Information” viewers and a supercut of his protection through the years: