ITN veterans return to host the ITV Evening News (ITN 50)

What a ridiculous idea - while I'm sure it'll be nice for nostalgia's sake to have these old school newsreaders back, is the channel's flagship bulletin really the place to be playing what is essentially a novelty game? I agree with comments about what happens if there is a major news story (which, let's face it, isn't that unlikely).

A serious error of judgement by ITV news methinks - an unfortunate victory of style over substance.

Oh for heaven's sake.

Do you seriously think that because these people are past 50 they won't know how to deliver a newscast?

You lot could find fault in an empty box.

Exactly, its not as if they are slinging any old newsreaders in from the street, these people are some of the most experienced newscasters ever to grace British TV, personally I cant wait to see Anna Ford set foot in the Theatre Of News, also its been a while since Martyn Lewis read a television bulletin so it will be good to revisit those golden days.


Also Im wondering if they will produce a package on each of the newsreaders and why they are on the ITV EN. Your normal television viewer may wonder why Anna Ford is on ITV let alone the Evening News.

All in all should be a good week.

It's nothing to do with how old they are, and Anna Ford, Martyn Lewis, Julia Somerville et al are/were all excellent newscasters. Probably, as some other posters have suggested, far better than many modern news anchors.

However, putting them on the ITV Evening News clearly shows this gimmick being prioritised over and above the news itself. It isn't a short "and finally" item at the end of the bulletin, it's the whole bulletin. People won't be watching the news, they'll be watching and saying "ooh look, there's Anna Ford, what's she doing on ITV". A shift on the news channel, yes. A report looking back at some of the past "stars" of ITV news, yes. A stint on the lunchtime news, perhaps. Anchoring the channel's main news programme - perhaps not.

Despite all this, it will be interesting to watch and see how they do, especially with all the new VR technology! Anna Ford on the ITV News will be a particularly good watch.

I have just received a call from ITN asking me to appear too, on Monday 19th, as Julia Somerville has dropped out.....

.....can anyone tell me where I can get an earpiece moulded?

Why shouldn't they do something special for ITN's 50th Birthday? This is obviously one of the best ways of going about it! Well Done ITN!

MonkeyMadness, didn't you read my post above???? LOL

More from Media Guardian:
All of the former ITN news presenters will also appear as a live guest on the ITV Lunchtime News at 12.30pm, on the day of their screen appearance, to talk about their time at ITN and the biggest stories that they covered.

Apparently it was Gordon Honeycombe's idea.

As for the order, so far we know:
Thursday 22: Gordon Honeycombe
Friday 23: Anna Ford

Indeed, it seems yet again because it is ITV it's got to be criticised, yet people on here are always asking for Moria Stuart to do the six for the novalty value even though she's as much of an old face as half these ones are.

I expect the veterans will read the news with any fancy stuff being done by Mark and Mary.

Anna Ford is definally a surprise!

Londoner - you completly missed the opportunity to start a "Anna Ford to present ITV Evening News" thread!

Must admit I'm surprised about Anna Ford - I guess she'll also guest on the Lunchtime News when she should be reading the One o'clock News!

I'm nowhere near as critical as some of the earlier posters, though am surprised they are doing it on their flagship bulletin rather than the Lunchtime News - but I don't see any problems. After all, none of them will be worse than Trevor! In the event of a major story, they'll use common sense!

They are all capable and experienced presenters. AFAIK, the one who has been the longest time away from tv presentation is Gordon Honeycombe. But I am sure they will all prove to be excellent.

Selina Scott - I remember her very first News at Ten. Woeful. One month later, she was fabulous. IIRC she only anchored News at Ten half a dozen times. The rest of the time's she was co-presenter.

I only wish I was able to witness this great feat of television. Viewer figures for ITN will be up into the dizzy heights that week!!!! (especially the night I am doing it.................)

James

I think the most impressive will be Julia Somerville, who to be fair hasn't been away for that long. She's always struck me as being an excellent presenter, would be nice to see her maybe offered something more permanent as a result of this, maybe a slot on the News Channel or something similar to Angela Rippon's?