The BBC putting looks before talent?

But my point to you is this - Natasha was an experienced, high qualified anchor for Sky News for years. The BBC took her over because, in part, yes she is a very tactile person - who clearly tries to 'interact'.

Regardless, of what your opinion may be on news becoming more 'personal' it is undoutedly a model the BBC are adopting - leaving the desk behind.

It really disheartens me to hear people describe female presenters as 'ratings viagra' . But I simply don't see their being a preference of looks over qualifications on mainstream broadcasters.

Even the notion of beauty, as this thread seems to be showing, is subjective and for me the whole premise of this arguements falls by the side when you do look around at presenters on air - and some are most certainly not 'eye candy'.

Yeer But Noo But Welcome to BBC News yer mate but blue peter apologise but I neva did nothin or nofin

I think the line up at the moment is good and the presenters need to look presentable - sometimes they stumble but sometimes presenters get nervous when performing in front of a crowd of 6 million? These presenters don't go in it just for fame, they do have to write the headlines and do some research theirselves you know.

[quote="Primetime TV"]Natasha isn't a nice site to look at,

Is she being built on or something... some would argue she needs work doing on her

I honestly think that a lot of you are either jealous of Natasha Kaplinsky or intimidated by her. That's the only reason why so many of you could have a such an overt and vehement dislike/hatred for her. The way you coin nicknames for her is just like a bully would for the good looking/clever pupils in a school.

None of you know enough about this woman to justify the hatred that you manifest. She does a good job, she's not unprofessional or reckless. So why hate her? You certainly can't tell enough about her personality to make any judgements on that. So why hate her?

I think it's purely that so many people here are intimidated or jealous and if I were you, I'd think before I made these scathing attacks because to me, they say a lot more about yourselves than they do about Natasha.

Great post!! Someone has cheered me up. Thanks.

No, the basis of most people disliking her is how she whores herself around light entertainment and appears to want excessive fame. Also she has an air of falseness around her.

Is she not allowed to have a life aside from the news?

I'm simply saying that Karl was incorrect in his reasoning for people disliking her.

However there is the idea that newsreaders should not at the same time be entertainment presenters. In the same way you don't expect Graham Norton to appear on News 24, you shouldn't have her presenting SCD.

The reasoning being, news is a serious business, and in this country is impartial by law. Therefore when Natasha is on these other shows she is therefore diluting the ability of people to take her seriously with the news.

Now personally, I'm not as bothered about her doing a bit of work for Ents on the side. Dermot and John Humphries both present quiz shows and Jon Snow does loads of C4 current affairs stuff. I just don't like Natasha as I find her disagreeable in looks, voice and manner.

Didn't she have a paddy at one awards show she was presenting a couple of years back?

Thanks for making me giggle as well Calum.
I can see that Vicky would be strong competition for all the Beeb news girls lol

I want them to bring back recieved pronunciation, it adds that more proffessional feeling to the news.

totally agree, with all the tight blazer jackets on itv news and general look. Have to say im not a fan of kaplinski either, dont like her attitude.