BBC News announces five presenters fronting new TV channel – and familiar faces receive shock snub | The Sun

BBC News has announced the five presenters fronting a new TV channel – and familiar faces have received a surprising snub.

The network is set to merge its UK and International teams, meaning a number of presenters have taken voluntary redundancy.

Now ahead of the spring launch, the BBC's Lucy Hockings, Christian Fraser, Matthew Amroliwala, Yalda Hakim and Maryam Moshiri have been announced as the main presenters.

However, it means a number of well-known faces have lost their presenting roles.

These include Jane Hill, Geeta Guru-Murthy, Martine Croxall, Ben Brown and Annita McVeigh.

Their exits come after Joanna Gosling, David Eades and Tim Willcox took voluntary redundancy and broadcast their final bulletins.

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The merger will see around 70 jobs go, according to reports.

Announcing the news, News chief executive Deborah Turness said: "This team’s editorial leadership, talent, knowledge and flair make them the ideal presenters to bring the BBC’s trusted journalism to people at home in the UK and around the globe, and to guide audiences through the big stories as they break."

The merger will see BBC News and BBC World News combine, with the UK daytime and evening content anchored in London, while the overnight broadcasts will be anchored in Washington DC and Singapore.

The move is part of ongoing reform plans to save £500million over the next few years.

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Last Thursday, Joanna, 52, left viewers emotional as she signed off for the last time.

"Now it's just about time for me to say goodbye," Joanna emotionally told viewers.

"I'm signing off after 23 years at BBC News and before I go there are just a few things that I wanted to say.

"I know this job is personal, we come directly into your home to tell you what's happening, good, bad, funny, sad.

"In doing my work I always consider how you might be responding to the news you're hearing and what you might want to know.

"But your response to me leaving has been completely unexpected and I've been really touched by the wave of warmth and kindness from you and I want to say thank you for all your good wishes, it really has meant a lot to me."

She also thanked the people who shared their stories with her during her career, as she revealed many of them had an "impact" on her and "shaped the way she sees things".

Joanna ended her broadcast as she thanked her BBC News colleagues before getting teary and receiving a round of applause.

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