News at Ten - Weeknights on ITV1

That's pretty much a given in anything in life. If you are doing something similar to someone else, it is only natural to want to beat them. I think people are going too far, however, by declaring NAT a 'failure' after less than two months because it isn't beating the BBC's bulletin yet. In any one year, one person will graduate with the best marks at university - that doesn't mean every other graduate is a failure.

ITN generally don't get the ratings they deserve for their bulletins. Over the years they've had some outstanding reports, Julian Manyon's reports from Beslan come to mind. I remember watching that on their lunchtime bulletin. But people just choose the Beeb, it's the same with the General Election. No idea why it is, it just is.

News At Ten is a ratings failure, but as a news programme it most certainly isn't in my opinion.

James and Julie will present News at Ten tonight.

Julie's body language speaks in volumes. How much more comfortable does she look without Trevor?

I thought the exact same thing and came on here specifically to post it! She was completely different. Tonight was the first time I've seen her present with anyone other than Trevor and she was a different person. It was interesting how they gave her the lead over James Mates - she carried the programme very well indeed.

She's obviously either intimidated by Trevor (obviously I can't comment on his personality but I'm thinking more along the lines of his stature in the broadcasting world) and therefore feels inferior to him or she's being told to play second fiddle. As much as I like Trevor, I can't wait to see the back of him this time. He clearly is no good presenting with someone else - he was far better on his own. The sooner Mark takes over permanently, the better. James Mates seems to be an excellent stand-in, too. He has the authority to carry off NAT so should definitely remain part of the team, IMO. Either that, or get Alastair Stewart involved.

Completely agree - once Mark is involved permanently I think News at Ten can begin to find it's feet, and agree James should be the regular stand-in (as he was at 10.30), with probably Nina the regular cover for Julie.


I do think though it's important for Mark to concentrate solely on the News at Ten and leave the Evening News - but as when he replaced Trevor, I can't see him wanting to quit the higher rated bulletin for the so called flagship.

I think though giving Mary the Evening News to anchor alone, with Mark standing in for her and also fronting the programme when they go on location would be a suitable compromise.


P.S. Apart from when he was in America, is this Trevor's first night off? Trust him to wait until Mark is out of the country!

Noone feel Alistair Stewart could be capable of doing News at Ten again? I feel he could do very well when either Trev, Mark or James isn't around.

And having him back for nostalgia's sake wouldn't really apply like it does now with Trevor as he's still with ITN. London Tonight and the Lunchtime news seems quite a demotion for someone with many years of experience and stature. I think the serious tone of News at ten would suit him and Julie together really well, rather like him and Katie i'd say though on different terms.

I seem to remember him hinting to present News at Ten last year sometime when he called the ITV News at 10.30 - "News at Ten".

To be honest, I'm actually happy with Trevor for the moment and I'd favour him over Mark any day.

On the other hand, I thought James was really good last night and Alastair would be a great addition to the News at Ten team.

But never been keen on Mark...not 100% sure why, just don't really rate him as a studio presenter - when he's out in the field, reporting live and covering major events he excels.

I've always liked Trevor, i know the only thing he does well is reading an autocue and having a 'voice', but that's good enough for me. I've never liked James Mates as a presenter, he should just stick to reporting.

Alistair Stewart's voice annoys me. If he didn't modulate it up and down in that irritating way, he'd be better.

I think Trevor is excellent, as was James last night. Mark Austin I'm unsure about: he always seems to sound like an over-enthusiastic teacher. Or one of those awful trendy vicars who still think Abba are the next big thing.

I dont mind Trevor at all - ive always felt he was a very good presenter. Im not so keen on Mark though. I much prefer James Mates.

If Mark does take over from Trevor on NAT I think he does need to stop presenting the Evening News. Or better still leave him on the Evening News and get James to present News at 10 with Julie. Although I cant see that happening!

I also think Katie should be the stand in for Julie on News at 10 - which I think she has done the one occasion Julie didnt present.

The late news on Friday really needs just 1 presenter which could be whoever does the weekends bulletins on a rota - so Steve, Nina, Geraint etc.

Mark and Mary are a good and successful team and IMO shouldn't be split up. Mark needs to solely focus on one program and that should be the Evening News. Julie should be given the News at Ten alone or presenting alongside James who she is clearly comfortable with.