When Live News goes Horribly Wrong

You're quite right that experience can be as important as qualifications. But without wanting to be disrespectful the experience Moira has is of reading an autocue and throwing to VT packages.

When she did occasionally do two ways with correspondents I think it was reasonably clear that she wasn't a natural at that style of presenting.

There just isn't a role in modern TV news for a competent presenter who can't do an off the cuff interview. That's not to say that with some coaching and practice she couldn't have developed those skills, but there isn't really a suitable training ground for somebody who is already well established.

Other than her stint on Breakfast must be nearly 20 years since she read a full bulletin on BBC1. I don't recall her having a regular role after the virtual set was replaced.

Worthwhile looking at Alastair Stewart's twitter feed for a discourse on this, seems he was invited to participate but declined. I wont summarise due to the nuances of the argument. Look yourselves.

Other than a few BBC One bulletins on Saturday nights in late 2006, I think you're right, her last full bulletin on BBC1 must have been in 1998/1999 during the blue virtual set era. Am I right in saying she never presented any bulletins after the 1999 relaunch and she was off screen completely until she started on Breakfast in late 2000?

Between 1999 and 2000 I'm sure she was still reading the news bulletin for Breakfast with Frost. And in fact, I would swear that I remember her presenting the "Breakfast 24" slot on News 24 in 1999/2000. Is that my memory playing tricks on me or did that actually happen?

Yes... Im sure it lasted longer here is a clip from 2004. I believe that lasted until 2006?

That was the 'Breakfast Briefing' bulletin that ran on weekdays at 6am; it was a 'proper' half-hour news bulletin before the main programme came on.

That clip was during the post-October 2000 Breakfast. Initially Moira read the news summaries as part of Breakfast and this was eventually extended to her presenting the whole first half hour ISTR in a strand called "Breakfast Briefing".

What I vaguely recall her doing is presenting the Breakfast 24 slot on the flags-era News 24 in about 1999. I may be completely mis-remembering that as it was 20 years ago. But I would swear that I recall it - I wonder if noggin might remember better?

Moira was presenting the occasional Saturday bulletin on BBC1 in 2006. The BBC newsreaders thread on here has discussion of it. Sadly I can’t find anything on Youtube. I think she then left the beeb in late 2007.

Here's a clip of the start of a Moira presented bulletin around Christmas 2006. Starts around 2 mins in...

Anyone else notice that the end credits spelt Moira Stuart 's surname as " Stewart " which shows you how high their production values were!