The Newsroom

ITV London Tonight

(December 2003)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
ST
South Today
Was Matt only ever temporary? I didn't realise that was the case.
HO
House
Was Matt only ever temporary? I didn't realise that was the case.


Given articles about Alistair leaving, like this, talk about "Stewart's place on London Tonight [being] taken by Teale, a former presenter on Setanta Sports News" and his picture being plastered on the London Tonight website, I'm guessing Matt or ITV/ ITN have changed their mind. Still, will be interesting to see if Matt sticks around at ITV/ LT!

Out of interest, what does this Donal sound like? Seeing as he was born in Dublin to an American mother and describes himself as a 'Londoner'?
LL
London Lite Founding member
Another random decision by ITN. Are we really going to see Donal introducing showbiz piffle on Leicester Square Tonight or the return to some decent journalism on ITV1?

In any case, I don't think Riz Lateef and the BBC London News team have anything to worry about.
BE
Ben Founding member
Basically this means Donal will be working for ITN then, so as and when something that would suit his journalism style comes up on the national news they can use him there too. Clever move but he won't suit London Tonight very well.
MA
Macalolo
My issue is why they just do not promote Ben, he gets on well with Katie, is known to the viewers and to me comes across as a nice person
AL
Alex
I was starting to warm to Matt Teale.

I would imagine that his appointment was indeed only temporary or, if he still lives out West, perhaps working five or six days a week so far from home was taking its toll, as it's unlikely he would have been allowed to continue presenting the programme if his departure was in any way acrimonious.

House posted:
Out of interest, what does this Donal sound like? Seeing as he was born in Dublin to an American mother and describes himself as a 'Londoner'?

Having had a quick listen on YouTube I'd say a fairly non-specific accent with a bit of Irish in it (but I'm cr*p at matching accents to locations). I didn't listen to much but it seemed OK.
MA
Macalolo
Alex posted:
I was starting to warm to Matt Teale.

I would imagine that his appointment was indeed only temporary or, if he still lives out West, perhaps working five or six days a week so far from home was taking its toll, as it's unlikely he would have been allowed to continue presenting the programme if his departure was in any way acrimonious.

House posted:
Out of interest, what does this Donal sound like? Seeing as he was born in Dublin to an American mother and describes himself as a 'Londoner'?

Having had a quick listen on YouTube I'd say a fairly non-specific accent with a bit of Irish in it (but I'm cr*p at matching accents to locations). I didn't listen to much but it seemed OK.


He was recently on This Morning
http://www.itv.com/lifestyle/thismorning/more/scamswithdonalmacintyre130110/
AL
Alex

Thanks for the link.
Can't say that I have ever had much time for all that scam exposé rubbish. Hopefully there won't be too much of that appearing on London Tonight (though he should be too busy presenting the programme to run around exposing things).
MA
Macalolo
Alex posted:

Thanks for the link.
Can't say that I have ever had much time for all that scam exposé rubbish. Hopefully there won't be too much of that appearing on London Tonight (though he should be too busy presenting the programme to run around exposing things).


As long as I get London News and no special investigation ill be happy, hwoever im wondering if this will be where ITV London goes downhill
IS
Isonstine Founding member
Anyone that thinks Matt Teale was only a temporary replacement is deluded. The reality is thay ITN got cold feet after realising that he isn't that good and doesn't really have the gravitas to deliver (the limited!) hard news on London Tonight. They've now gone completely the other way in getting someone in who is all about hard news, in your face, undercover, reporting for you. I expect he will be gone again in 6 months time once he either gets a job on Tonight or they realise that he just isn't a regional news presenter.

I hate to say it, but I'm sure many long for the days of Alastair and Mary with Chris Peacock outside Southwark Crown Court!
AL
Alex
Well I wouldn't say no to Alastair rejoining Katie on the programme.

Presumably Donal MacIntyre has had some form of screen test/rehearsal given that, as far as I'm aware, his experience isn't in the field of presenting news bulletins.
LL
London Lite Founding member
Anyone that thinks Matt Teale was only a temporary replacement is deluded. The reality is thay ITN got cold feet after realising that he isn't that good and doesn't really have the gravitas to deliver (the limited!) hard news on London Tonight. They've now gone completely the other way in getting someone in who is all about hard news, in your face, undercover, reporting for you. I expect he will be gone again in 6 months time once he either gets a job on Tonight or they realise that he just isn't a regional news presenter.

I hate to say it, but I'm sure many long for the days of Alastair and Mary with Chris Peacock outside Southwark Crown Court!


My concern is Faye Nicholds has hired a man known for investigative journalism with a tabloid edge, who'll then report on the basic ITV local template of one or two proper news stories, then over to Lucy Cotter on the red caroer brown nosing some celeb no-one cares about, except for a couple of 14 year olds who have no interest in local news. Is this the best use for this person?

Oh for the old LNN to have stayed.

Newer posts