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BBC National Newsreaders

The Best? (August 2003)

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MI
Mikeroberts
So, there is a thread for BBC World Newsreaders, so I thaught that we should have one for the BBC1 Newsreaders. I have included the anchors in a poll at the top, but fill ins should be included in the thread itself.
TW
Turnbull and Williams
Bill Turnbull is definitely my favourite. He combines a hard-hitting interview technique and a strong on-screen presence (essential for anchoring news programmes) with warmth and personality presentation that really makes it seem like he's talking TO the viewer, rather than AT them or indeed just to his co-presenter.

Michael Buerk is excellent too, while Jane Hill, George Alagiah and Fiona Bruce are also pretty good.

Dermot Murnaghan is undoubtedly the worst. He fails to connect with the viewer or with Natasha, while he often seems to lack gravity in his presentation style.
RE
Re-it-er-ate
Yes, Dermot is awful. He has been every since I first saw him on ITN. For me, he just sits there and reads the autocue. I don't think I've ever seen him smile, at least Natasha is warm and welcoming.
DY
Dour Yorkshireman
Huw Edwards is probably the best IMO, he has proved more charismatic that I thought he might.
KA
Katherine Founding member
Sophie Raworth for me - our region prepared her well.
TW
Turnbull and Williams
Can't believe Sian's ahead in the poll - she talks over the top of EVERYONE else she works with (apart from Bill - he just doesn't let her!).
RE
Re-it-er-ate
tsk @ the lack of votes, apart from mine Embarassed for Anna!
MI
Mikeroberts
This is how it stands, in order 24 hours into the poll. It seems to reflect results in the poll in the BBC News Centre at the moment.

Huw Edwards - Ten
22% [ 6 ]
Sian Williams - Breakfast/Six
22% [ 6 ]
Sophie Raworth - Six
18% [ 5 ]
Bill Turnbull - Breakfast/Six
18% [ 5 ]
Fiona Bruce - Ten
11% [ 3 ]
Anna Ford - One
3% [ 1 ]
Natasha Kaplinsky - Breakfast
3% [ 1 ]
George Alagiah - Six
0% [ 0 ]
Darren Jordan - One/Weekend
0% [ 0 ]
Dermot Murnaghan - Breakfast
0% [ 0 ]

Katherine posted:
Sophie Raworth for me - our region prepared her well.


I agree! She is a really nice person too!
MI
mizzb
Re. Newsreaders poll


I think Moira Stuart deserves a mention she’s been reading the news for 20 years for the bbc and she’s better than most of the current anchors.

Also Kate Sanderson is quite a good newsreader for that matter.
And IMO I think Natasha Kaplinsky should not have been included , i’ve yet to see her read any proper news bulletins since she left skynews.
MI
Mikeroberts
I included the main BBC 1 anchors of the BBC News, I would have done BIG MOIRA if there was room, but you can only do something like 10 options on a poll
KA
karthikdinakar Founding member
George Alagiah is not bad either is he? He has a commanding voice, but I haven't seen him smile too often, at least not when he presents the news on BBC Four.
:-(
A former member
It's difficult but Darren Jordan for me... he's got a strong personality, suits all programmes and reads very clearly.

Huw Edwards has to be the worst, dull, boring, unclear, Welsh (Wink), everything I dislike in a newsreader.

I don't really like Sian Williams either, or Natasha Kaplinsky.

Dermot Murnaghan is one of their most talented newscasters, obviously all his experience and training from ITN, but just doesn't suit Breakfast.

Fiona Bruce is good too, but needs to present more.

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