The NEW Central West and BBC Midlands thread

It's funny somebody should mention this because I'd heard this being discussed in a pub too.

I also had a dream last night that Wesley Smith of Thames Valley would appear on Central News as Political Correspondent at some time in the near future. I suppose if it did happen he could then fill in for Bob when he jets off on his holidays and make his mark for the future (that is, of course, if Bob leaves before ITV regional news ends completely!)

Bit of WM news now

Uncle Ed's now on holiday for a couple of weeks, from the weekday show, with Jimmy Franks covering apparantly.

Mollie is covering Saturday breakfast(last week & this week!).

(There was a comment made during one of the Early Shows this week, which suggests there may be further news on the presenter front. Think I'll have to keep my ear to the wireless on this(read, if Mollie opens her big gob again!), unless the 'usual suspects' on here know anything! Bet I'll get a PM on this one!)

Got my reply from Keith Beech & while the reply was more informative than Mike Bettison's roughly 6 months ago, one comment still puzzles me. I think I might send a PM to a certain regular poster for his opinion, once I've had another read of it.

I didn't realise that its tomorrow when Central Tonight gets its brand new programme.

Bloody hell - they're not wasting time are they!? I'll try and tune in to see how much of a hash they can make of it. Are we getting the bundle of charisma that is Sameena from day one? What will be the background? Will anyone spot the join? So many questions....

You didn't realise it cos it's not tomorrow. Where did you get this mis-info?

The last split central will be the 6th

caught the last few seconds tonight from Bob? Thats what he said though.

No it'll be Fri 20th Feb

His actual words were:

"Well, I like that lady who talked about a fresh start...but a fresh start is what it's all about. We'll have a fresh start tomorrow with a brand new programme"

"fresh start" was a reference to something someone said in the preceding report: "it's a new year, it can be a fresh start"

It appears that Emma Jesson will appearing as a reporter for Central news in the near future, quoth the good lady herself:

"The newsroom is trying to keep normal services running smoothly whilst performing the changeover to the new systems, dry runs etc. Plus I'm trying to organise new projects for myself and re-training - I'll be doing my reporter and newscutter (editing) training for my new role in Feb!"

In case anybody is wondering what happened to her finger:

"Thank you for the concern over my finger... the result of a nasty wrestling accident between a sharp knife and two deep frozen Aunt Bessies! Confused the Yorkshire puds won".

So now you know

I've seen Bob and Sameena doing some filming on canal barges at Gas Street basin. I assume it was promotional/publicity material for the new programme's pairing. Anybody know? I assume Sameena won't be seen again on Central East as she's been off for months on maternity leave?

I have a hunch Bob may well be 'doing a Trevor' by launcing the new programme to let it bed in then clearing off in the next twelve months. You never know, this could open the way for somebody else who may not have a presenting job to step in!

I wouldn't worry because by 2014 Bob (if he's still there) and everyone else won't be at Central anyway! Central and all the regions will cease to exist in 2014 if Ofcom have their way and make ITV a single national commercial broadcaster!