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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tina Campbell

BBC confirm Victoria Derbyshire and Jon Kay as new Newsnight and BBC Breakfast presenters

Victoria Derbyshire Jon Kay Newsnight BBC Breakfast Dan Walker

Victoria Derbyshire said she is ‘delighted’ to be joining Newsnight

(Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

The BBC has announced two big changes to its presenting line-up.

Jon Kay will become the new regular presenter on BBC Breakfast from Monday to Wednesday, while Victoria Derbyshire will join Newsnight as joint lead presenter.

Kay replaces Dan Walker, who had hosted the morning show since 2016, while Derbyshire joins the Newsnight team following the departure of Emily Maitlis who had anchored the current affairs programme since 2006.

Kay, 52, who starts his new role with immediate effect, said: “I’m over the moon to become the new regular presenter of BBC Breakfast and I’m looking forward to bringing our brilliant viewers the very latest news each morning alongside my good friend Sally (Nugent) and the rest of the team.

“Sitting on the famous red sofa is a real privilege while covering the stories and issues that matter to our audience – home and abroad.”

Following his exit from the BBC, Walker replaced Sian Williams presenting 5 News, after she announced she was stepping down in April.

Derbyshire, who joins Newsnight permanently in September, said of her appointment: “I am so delighted to be joining the legend that is Kirsty Wark and the talented Newsnight team under new and ambitious leadership.

“This is a special opportunity to take on one of the best jobs in British journalism and help shape the programme’s future. I can’t wait to champion more stories about people’s lives while holding those who represent them to account.”

Derbyshire’s eponymous daily current affairs programme was axed by the BBC in January 2020 as part of a string of cuts at the broadcaster.

An online petition calling for the corporation to reverse its decision received more than 50,000 signatures that month.

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