The next Trevor McDonald

This topics been discussed briefly in the ITV News thread, but I personally think the replacement of the nations "most popular" newsreader deserves it's own thread. So who should replace him?

The main contenders
Mark Austin - the early favourite, and his reports from Iraq for the Evening News really estabhlished him as a quality newsreader. The 10.30pm bulletin is ITV's flagship news programme, but with twice as many viewers at 6.30pm - and him estabhlished in his on-location role for big stories, would he want to move?

Nicholas Owen - an old ITN favourite - well estabhlished at Lunchtime, but is he heavyweight enough for 10.30pm.

Mary Nightingale - ITV's top female newsreader, and regular award winner, but also estabhlished on the Evening News - although she could match Trevor in the number of days off league

Katie Derham - regularly stands-in for Trevor, but has lost her position at ITN. Much more likely to replace the person replacing Trevor

Kirsty Young - with ITN losing the five contract, with Kirsty Young turn her back on Sky and return to ITV News. If a woman gets the job, I think she would be favourite - but after how ITV treated her when she returned to five, would she be willing to re-join ITV News

Krishnan Guru Murphy - estabhlished as a credible journalist at C4 - but Jon Snow fills the flagship position - and doesn't look like moving. However, I just can't see KGM switching myself - and only include him as he's been mentioned as a replacement

George Aligiah - IMO the best newsreader the BBC has - but not suited to the 6pm show. He's a heavyweight journalist but also very watchable - I think the bulletin would be perfect for him

Dermot Murnaghan - he quit ITV News in 2002 to join Breakfast. By 2005 he'll be fed up of early mornings - and before he left was widely regarded as a natural successor. Would this be the perfect return?

Alistiar Stewart - lost the News at Ten job to Trevor, but recently made more appearance on ITV News and the ITV News Channel - though not as a regular presenter

Andrew Harvey - a regular face on the ITV News Channel - an outside bet, possibly?


Here's the chance to place your vote and discuss on who will be the next Trevor McDonald?

The other name that's appeared (speculatively) more than once is Fiona Bruce, although (of course) she would lose a variety of programmes she does in addition to the 10.

Mark & Mary are best suited to the evening news hour IMO, I'd much rather their "newsreading magic" was kept together and at that time. Although I can see either Mark or Mary doing it alone - and I have a feeling it will be Mark.

Just have to wait and see I guess, but I really doubt they're going to stick someone there who ordinary non-digital viewers would see as a new person, for example anyone on the News Channel. ITV News will probably want someone who they know the viewers have seen and trust.

And Huw, of course, but with a similar rider.

I can't see it going to anybody else other than Mark Austin. Bringing back Murnaghan (or anybody else externally for that matter) would surely be seen as a snub to him.

Another name missing off that list is Jeremy Thompson of Sky, who I'm sure has been mentioned.

I bet it'll be Mark Austin for the 10.30pm job, with Nicholas Owen joining Mary Nightingale at 6.30pm. The Lunchtime News could then be used to try a new face like those listed in the poll or someone from the ITV News Channel.

Of course if they wanted a veteran Newsreader, Ms Angela Rippon would be my vote!

I agree with you their - with Katie Derham coming in for the Lunchtime News. Then I think Felicity Barr will replace her on London Tonight, combining it with reading the 10.30pm sport - although that position may be quietly dropped when Trevor goes.

I'm in a mix with Alistair Stewart or Mark Austin - perhaps Mark Austin would suit better; he's already a favourite face on ITV News and probably would be a perfect replacement.

Well when Trevor goes, I think it would be a good idea if the show got a minor revamp, it has got it's priorties right, but bits need to be adjusted, and maybe getting rid of the current titles, but only for the 10.30. Even though it is built as him being the main presenter, he doesn't present half of the time!

But for me I'm guessing Mark Austin might be the best choice at the minute, unless ITV News gets a new male anchor, plus when he has presented it he usually makes a good job of it, but then again he is suited more to the Evening News. Katie Derham would be a good choice if not, as she usually presents it and she has a certain confidence about herself, I was sorry to see her being moved to London Tonight, but Katie is more National material rather than London, plus IMO she is better than Mary. Another favourite of mine is Bill Neely, but AFAIK he is International Editor. Andrew Harvey again would be a good choice, as he's good on the NC and many people still probably associate him with the BBC.

There was a little blurb in The Mirror today saying that Trevor isn't too happy about standing up during the bulletins, bosses have persuaded him to stand up for longer but he is taking none of it! I can't see why not? The rest of them have no problem with it, it does explain why he only stands at the start of the bulletin.

LOL, yeh even though he's standing at the start of the bulletin, he is rooted firmly to the spot you never see him go for much of a walk like Mark / Mary or Nick.

I expect they could make more of the 10.30 bulletin with more newswall and virtual stuff, if it weren't for our Trev.

I agree. It should get its own identity. I have noticed there is a brownish coloured Big-Ben face, along with the blue and yellow one. Maybe the brownish one could be used only on the News at Ten Thirty in the titles, astons, graphics etc. If the break was removed from the middle, and the sports presenter and ' full ' sports bulletin abolished it would be a lot better.