Daybreak - the launch onwards

What about Lucy Watson? When she's covered, she's been a good change to the programme. I prefer her on the sofa to behind the news desk. I like the idea of Matt Barbet, but the other newspaper idea of Kier Simmons I would disagree with, especially following his cover on the sofa.

Don't be giving ITV idea's - I can just see it 'Daybreak Needs Talent, new to ITV1 this Winter' - The poor man's Britain's Got Talent.

I wonder how many more pages of speculation we will get through before ITV inevitably announce that Fiona Phillips is returning.

In all seriousness I think I read they were going to announce something regarding the new presenters on December 1st. That dates probably a load of rubbish no doubt though.

I think that Matt Baker and Ali Douglas would make a good pairing, although I think that ITV will stay away from poaching presenters off of The One Show from now on. They're both fairly young and Ali presents the ITV News at 05:30 as well as London Today so she could bring some news gravitas to the show and Matt is a great interviewer in my opinion.. does anybody else share my thoughts?

I know I'm falling into the trap of suggesting former GMTV presenters, but I'd really like to see Penny Smith and Andrew Castle back. I can't see it happening though, especially if ITV are still going with the plan to make the programme more 'newsy'.

Well no, Penny Smith yes, Cheshire Cat Castle, no thanks.

I agree. Keep Andrew Castle off Daybreak

Did I read somewhere recently Penny's no longer a blonde?

I think she went red head, as she no longer has to concentrate on a TV career.

(I know this isn't on topic, but seemed the best place to put it!)

If Roland Rat managed to save TV-am, then I suggest these pairings as the saviours of Daybreak, from BBC's Mongrels:

Mon-Thurs
(Nelson & Destiny)
http://static.bbc.co.uk/programmeimages/528xn/generic/mongrels/nelson.jpg http://static.bbc.co.uk/programmeimages/528xn/generic/mongrels/destiny.jpg

Fridays (and holidays)
(Marion & Kali)
http://static.bbc.co.uk/programmeimages/528xn/generic/mongrels/marion.jpg http://static.bbc.co.uk/programmeimages/528xn/generic/mongrels/kali.jpg

Sports Presenter
(F****** Vince)
http://static.bbc.co.uk/programmeimages/528xn/generic/mongrels/vince.jpg

I was rather stuck on who could read the news though!

All images © BBC

Sian Williams and Matt Barbet could be an interesting combo. Both good at balancing decent journalism and with a lighter touch.

Could see either of them credibly interviewing either David Cameron or Dolly Parton - which is a good test of a morning presentation team...

I don't think that Sian will go for Daybreak. She'd be jumping from a programme with double Daybreak's viewing figures, to Daybreak itself. She'd be at a disadvantage from the off.

With Matt Barbet being employed by channel 5, would he be free to break out of his contract/employment?

Btw Stuart, loving the mongrels idea.

But as Sian is leaving Breakfast anyway - she's not jumping ship is she? It's a choice of having a job or not having a job, unless the BBC have got something up their sleeves for her (possibly something on Radio 4?)