Natasha Kaplinsky to replace Kirsty Young on Five News

I presume Sian will be taking over temporarily on the Six at least with Kate on Breakfast?

I didn't watch any of yesterday's coverage but am slightly suspicious of the timing of the announcement, just before the Crowngate report was released and Fincham's resignation announced. Was Kerplinsky a smokescreen for Fincham or did that story rightly get more coverage?

Thank god she's leaving the BBC. Worst newsreader in the world - as she isn't a newsreader, she's a name!

That means the BBC schedules should be Kaplunksky free - and she can be avoided on Five.


Will the BBC send her on "gardening leave" as ITV often do in these situations?


I think with cuts on the way it's difficult to justify replacing her on the 6pm - but George Alligiah wouldn't be suitable as the sole anchor.


I'd say give the 6pm news to Dermot Murnaghan, with Bill taking over permanently on Breakfast. Fiona Bruce should then return to the 6pm bulletin as the stand-in replacement, with George taking that role on the 10pm news.



If it's kept double headed though, there is always the possibility of a swap now Kirsty Young is to host Crimewatch.

No Fincham's resignation got far more coverage, plus I don't think the BBC revealed she was leaving - no Press statement.

I also thought it very odd they had the story as breaking news - does anyone one but us care?

Good idea of yours though...

She left yesterday. She cant present anything else for the BBC.



I'd have thought it would be more likely that Fiona would be made the main presenter of the 6 than Dermot.

Personally, I'd like to see Sian stay on Breakfast and wouldn't mind Kate stepping up to the Six as I feel that, unfortunately, Jane Hill is going to miss out on a nationals promotion again.

I don't think Fiona seems to want a full time role though - I'd imagine she'd have one already if she did.

I don't see why for the interim we can't have Sophie and George on the 6, she is down to do it twice this week anyway. Although it would mean that she would be working a rather long day. In the long run i expect the job will be given to Emily or Kate.

The Daily Mail today suggested that Mary Nightingale had previously turned down the Five News role.

Yeah plus doubt she could do a fulltime role and do antiques roadshow as well

surely the final decision from both sides (i.e. Five and Natasha herself) must have been made a few days before the announcement?

Is it actually possible that it was 'breaking news' as it was announced on N24, and therefore a few hours later that's it - NK is saying her final goodbye on the six o'clock news??

Was she at the end of her BBC contract anyway? Can she just walk away from the BBC like this at such short notice? Obviously she can but is just 'damage limitation' from BBC bosses - i.e. "JUST GO THEN....!!!"

all a bit rushed and odd i reckon.

So she's pretending to read the news then? You need to make sense pal. Have you 'analysed' every newsreader in the world?

Bit like when she started there when she was meant to begin in January but then started in the November. I remember a jokey comment by her that she was going a bit odd siting at home doing nothing and had put on some weight on and needed to work. Will she manage this time ?

I also vaguely recall the last time the contract was negotiated there was some 'talk' put out that there was an offer of a Vanessa type show on ITV. This was all dismissed as posturing and rumours once the bbc had given her another contract.

None of this answers your question about whether she was at the end of her contract but it does seem probable she was close to it.