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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Connie Rusk

BBC's Clive Myrie says rolling Queen coverage was 'tough day' as Huw Edwards thanks fans

BBC viewers have praised news anchors Clive Myrie and Huw Edwards for presenting hours of rolling coverage on the Queen.

Those watching across the nation took to social media to applaud news host Huw for showing "exemplary professionalism, dignity and humanity" in announcing the death of Her Majesty, the Queen, at 6.30pm on Thursday evening.

The broadcaster had pulled their TV schedule hours earlier, after Buckingham Palace had issued a statement from the Queen's doctors showing serious concern over her health.

Dressed in black, Huw, 61, and Clive, 58, presented from BBC studios, bringing in royal correspondents and talking to journalists from Buckingham Palace, Balmoral Castle and Windsor as senior members of the Royal Family rushed to Queen Elizabeth's bedside.

BBC viewers have praised news anchor Huw Edwards for presenting hours of rolling coverage on the Queen (BBC)

Huw had been fronting a BBC One news special throughout the day, since lunchtime, and he was clearly very emotional as he paid tribute to the Queen following her passing.

The presenter has liked a string of Tweets from viewers applauding him for his endurance in presenting live television for hours.

Among those he liked was: "I'm sure it was a moment for which you’d prepared yourself for some time, but nevertheless you rose to meet that unbelievably difficult moment with exemplary professionalism, dignity and humanity."

Clive described it as a "tough old day" (BBC)

"Huw Edwards has just spent four long days anchoring rolling covering of a change of Prime Minister and the death of the monarch… and he has barely dropped a syllable. A national treasure", wrote another.

"Huw was visibly upset yesterday when breaking the news and went off air for a few seconds. Class act for carrying on faultlessly," said another viewer.

The Queen passed away on Thursday afternoon, aged 96 (AFP via Getty Images)
Fans praised the pair for their strength (@CliveMyrieBBC/Twitter)

"He’s one of the best presenters - not many left who are senior enough to cover such a long programme with such style", said a different BBC viewer.

Meanwhile one fan took to Twitter to tell Clive: "If I could do what you do, I'd be a happy lad", the presenter replied: "It was a tough old day."

As the words BBC News Report was shown on the screen, Huw - wearing a black tie and suit - spoke to announce the sad death of Her Majesty. He said: "This is BBC News from London. Buckingham Palace has announced the death of Queen Elizabeth."

Royal Editor Nicholas Witchell added: "One does, this - for the nation, for them - is an absolutely massive moment. It's a moment of great solemnity and national sadness and it's hard fully to take it in.

"It is an incredible shock. Many people will feel a sense of personal lost. Others will find it very disorientating. It is the end of what history will judge as one of the most remarkable reigns."

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