The Blair Succession

Jon Sopel has just made his first appearence in Sedgefield for News 24, with Matthew Amroliwala in Westminster. I'd imagine Huw Edwards is in Sedgefield too.

Simon McCoy and Carrie Gracie are in the studio - but i don't see why they need two of them, they've been on air for just a few seconds in the last hour - and that was handing over to Jane Hill in Portugal.

Great coverage so far - lots of reports from some big names on his last 10 years - Evan Davis on the Economy, Mark Eston on the Public Services and James Robbins on Foreign Affairs. And Jon's just done a great interview with two old ladies

I would imagine Huw will be at Westminster later on. James Landale and Nick Robinson are also in Sedgefield.

Channel 4 News at Noon are going on air half-an-hour earlier than planned (11.30) to cover Mr Blair's speech.

ITV News special starts at 11.40

BBC News Special on BBC1 11.45-12.30, The Daily Politics on BBC2 moved to 12.30, swapping with Working Lunch.

Generic UTV Ident with a female announcer (?!) into the ITV News Special. Alastair Stewart is adamant that we arent to switch channels!

http://www.dolben.demon.co.uk/newschannel/itvblair01.jpg
http://www.dolben.demon.co.uk/newschannel/itvblair02.jpg

ITV News channel anybody?

Special orange themed graphics on Channel 4 News. The BBC have Huw Edwards anchoring from Westminster and the inestimable Jon Sopel with James Landale in Trimdon.

Huw is in Westminster for the BBC News Special on One and 24

and a lesser spotted ITV News Ticker - looks good, shame it will not be used that often.
Long day for Huw today then, on now and no doubt will front the 10 tonight as well.
Alistair Campbell giving his first interview to ITV News, still not friends with BBC then?

Five have their orange 'Breaking News' strap up. Presumably the programme's going to be extended to cover the announcement (would be shocking if it wasn't!).