Renowned newsreader Clive Myrie, 58, has shed light on why he was hastily removed from BBC News At Ten, following his guest appearance on Have I Got News For You (HIGNFY). Citing an issue of timing, he explained that the two programmes aired "too close" to one another.
The seasoned journalist hosted the hit comedy show last Friday, which delved into the ramifications of Boris Johnson's decision to resign as an MP and the unveiling of his honours list. Yet, as reported by The Times last Thursday, the BBC, fearing allegations of bias, replaced Myrie on the nightly news slot with fellow newsreader Jane Hill.
On Thursday's episode of Steph’s Packed Lunch, when queried about when he learned of his removal, Bolton-born Myrie revealed: "It was after I had recorded the show (HIGNFY), which is the day before." He further stated on the Channel 4 show that he "couldn't do" the news bulletin on the same night, given its airtime was merely half an hour before the comedy panel show, featuring Private Eye editor Ian Hislop and comedian Paul Merton.
While hosting the BBC comedy programme, Myrie found himself the butt of Hislop's jokes about the "end" of his career, based on the comments he read about Mr Johnson. Yet, Myrie, who did present the BBC News At Six that Friday, was quick to clarify: "It was nothing to do with the jokes, they'd have just pulled the programme if it was the jokes, it was because the two programmes were too close together."
He seemed to agree with host Steph McGovern's suggestion that it felt peculiar for him to be humorous on one programme and grave on another in such a close time frame. Regarding his stint on the show, Myrie expressed: "I love it, it’s a great, great team behind the programme and Ian and Paul are wonderful, wonderful guys to be around and it’s just fun. To be out of that sort of straitjacket of news for a while is brilliant."
The episode also showcased the comedy talents of Munya Chawawa and the insights of journalist Helen Lewis. A source from the BBC told the PA news agency: "It was just an accident of scheduling and the decision was taken because of the optics of appearing on the two programmes practically back to back."
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