Nick Owen quits ITN for BBC News 24

ITN newsreader Nicholas Owen is defecting to the BBC, it was announced today.
Owen is to join BBC News 24 early next year.
"It seems the right moment to go for new challenges - and I look forward to
plenty of those, joining the line-up of presenters who have helped make BBC News
24 the country's leading news channel," he said.
Owen, 59, currently co-presents the ITV Lunchtime News bulletin with Katie
Derham.
He he has been a regular ITN presenter for over a decade and has anchored all
its news bulletins.
From 1994 to 2000 he was royal correspondent and covered the funeral of Diana,
Princess of Wales.
Kevin Bakhurst, controller of BBC News 24, said: "I'm delighted that Nicholas
is joining News 24.
"He is one of the most respected and experienced presenters in the business
and will bring a real charm and depth of experience to the channel."
Alastair Stewart will take over as full-time co-presenter of ITV's lunchtime
bulletin in the New Year.

Well thats a big shock, I knew he hadn't been presenting the Lunchtime News for a while but I certainly never thought he would be leaving. Cant imagine him on BBC News 24!
Good Luck to Nick anyway!

Link???

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/11_november/20/owen.shtml

Thanks Londoner.

BBC Press Offiice

Probably explains the lack of appearances and the recent grooming of Geraint Vincent.

Wonder if he'll have to go on gardening leave from ITN now ?

Intersting...does one presume that the rumoured changes to News 24 will take place in Jan then?

Wonder how long before he appears on the One!

I personally think he was being eased out. Shame really - he was fantastic when he presented the Lunchtime News on his own.

That's a shame, I've always liked his presentation style, it seems ITN are losing the greats.

I'm not that surprised really - though I thought he'd possibly leave for Countdown!

I hope the Lunchtime News now returns to one presenter (Katie Derham) as the shortened version doesn't require two, with Alistair Stewart as the regular stand in.

I wonder how long it will be before Nick appears on the BBC News on BBC1