ITV News

Just like the disaster that was Donal on LT which led to the bulletin going single headed.

The only reason I can think of to this signing is Natasha ticks the boxes for the ad-hoc network cover and saves them money by utilising her with ITV London. Yet Ben and even Charlene White are more 'London' than her, but I expect those two wouldn't work well on prime national bulletins, despite Charlene presenting the Morning News and weekend afternoon nationally.

I must admit to not having watched a complete ITV News or London Tonight bulletin since Katie left, that's despite actually liking many of the presenters including Charlene, Faye, Ben and Andrea. I just find there are more efficient ways to get the news.
I don't expect that to change with Natasha's appointment but it will be interesting to see how she does. I can't see it being a 'disaster' as, whether you like her or not, she's a professional with relevant experience.

(BTW, Katie certainly was one of the ITV News 'faces', which presumably equates to being one of the senior presenters, appearing as she did in various dodgy photo calls and promo videos. It's cool that she is now following up on her passion for classical music (though I'd still like her to read the news ).)

Let us hope Nina does not get the 'Sophie Rayworth' treatment.

If I'd be having a baby I'd be nervous if the Celebrity newsreader covered for me!!!

I totally agree with Ben and Charlene being chosen to cover - both are excellent.

But nobody can underestimate the autocutie tag on ratings...all the blokes I know only want dolly birds reading the news.

However, her looks will fade soon enough as she must be well into her forties now. I am sure she'll end up on some high brow show on UK Living in ten/fifteen years if we are still unlucky enough to see her.

I wasn't a big fan of Katie Derham on LT, yet I'd rather she made a comeback!

I think Natasha is a bit of a better newsreader than Donal though! Quite surprised about the dislike to her on the forum, shes not that bad - and its not like shes being brought in to replace Mary or Julie. She's doing Nina's shifts, and Nina isnt on the National News an awful lot anyway (which is a bit of a crime IMO)

If ITV didn't want the London team doing the main national bulletins they still have plenty of options. Daisy and Andrea as mentioned. But Chris Ship, Sally Bidulph, bring down Lucy Meacock for some lunchtimes bulletins if need be. Alex Hill on the lunchtime again even

Between Alaistar Stewart, James Mates, Steve Scott and Daisy McAndrew how many different regular presenters does the lunchtime news need? Thats a core team of 4, then those I mentioned above if they get really stuck. And even if ITV didn't want say Lucy on lunchtimes, they could put her on weekends instead of James Mates or Steve Scott possibly, allowing them to do more lunchtimes instead

(Yes a lot of these people have other commitments too, but ITV certainly have options)

So like everyone else I would agree Natscha Kaplinsky isn't going to be just temporary. It's hard to see a need for a direct temporary replacement for Nina when ITV have plenty of others who could pick up her work relatively easily

I honestly can't understand what all the fuss is about. She's not THAT bad. In fact, wasn't she one of the pioneer presenters of London Tonight way back? I don't see that its a terribly bad decision by ITN.

Its just the reasons behind it, there are perfectly good presenters at ITN at the moment yet they insist on bringing new people in. It seems LT is a beacon for outside journalists to present the programme. I doubt it won't be as bad having Natasha present compared to somebody like Donal but it's just annoying Imo that a broadcaster is not util sing its current team.

I honestly would not be surprised if within a few months we see Mary leave and Natasha take over.

She did a brief stint during the LNN era, if I recall Smedley did a magazine format of LT as well? However Mary Nightingale is another ex LNN'er who was much better and had more shifts.

It's not that unusual for long established presenters doing second tier work to never get any further. Look at all the BBC News Channel presenters, many have been doing a good job on there for many years, but never host a national bulletin.

Where the idea has come from that Mary is about to quit I don't know. Alistair Stewart did Police, Camera, Action for years and he never quit from his day job.

There is a lot of jumping to conclusions going on, if Natasha is unpopular on London Tonight it's likely she won't stay longer than her maternity cover contract.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

This sums up everything that is wrong with the appointment.