Martha Kearney has said she is “hugely excited” to move to the world of nature shows after signing off from BBC Radio 4’s Today programme for the last time.

The Irish journalist, who has helmed the station’s flagship morning news programme for six years, is set to host a new interview series, titled This Natural Life, for Radio 4.

Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett will be her first guest on the show, which will celebrate nature and the power of the natural world.

Kearney said: “After more than four decades in the news jungle, I’m escaping to the wild world of nature programmes.

“I’m hugely excited to be sharing my own passion with some fascinating guests in my new series This Natural Life.

“Of course I will miss being at the heart of breaking stories, our amazing production team and all the listeners who say they wake up with me.

“The 3am alarm call… not so much.”

In the new interview series, Kearney will explore how nature has become an important part of the guest’s life.

Alongside Blanchett, her first guests include wildlife cameraman and Strictly star Hamza Yassin, actor and director Martin Clunes, chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and nature writer Richard Mabey.

Kearney will also showcase her own love of the outside world, having previously presented several nature programmes including The Wonder of Bees and The Great Butterfly Adventure.

She will also begin presenting episodes of BBC Radio 4’s Open Country this spring.

BBC Radio 4 controller and director of speech Mohit Bakaya said: “Martha is a brilliant journalist and presenter, who has navigated us through important news stories over the years, and led Radio 4’s coverage for significant national events, including the Queen’s funeral and King’s coronation.

“I am delighted that she is staying with Radio 4, bringing her considerable knowledge, passion and experience of the natural world to Open Country and our exciting new interview show, This Natural Life.”

Editor of the Today programme, Owenna Griffiths, added: “It’s been my great privilege to be Martha’s editor both at The World at One and Today.

“She’s a journalist with great tenacity, insight and a wonderfully broad range of interests.

“Above all she’s a warm and generous colleague who will be missed by me and the team.”

Before she began her time on the Today programme, Kearney was the first female presenter on Radio 4’s The World At One, a programme exploring current affairs.

This followed seven years as Newsnight’s political editor and over the years she has interviewed prime ministers including Margaret Thatcher and Rishi Sunak and has covered several US elections.

The Dublin-born journalist began her career in radio as a phone-in operator at LBC/IRN Radio in London before she eventually joined the BBC’s current affairs series On The Record in 1988.

She was a regular presenter of Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour from 1998 to 2007 and interviewed celebrities including Amy Winehouse, Hilary Mantel, Courtney Love and Jane Fonda.

She has also won multiple awards including the The Television and Radio Industries Club (Tric) awards radio presenter of the year.

This Natural Life is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.