BBC Breakfast

Susanna Reid and Bill Turnbull were absent from BBC One this morning due to a strike by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).

BBC Breakfast was off-air this morning as were a bunch of Radio shows due to the 24-hour strike that began at midnight on Sunday.

Bargain Hunt was screened during the vacant morning slot on BBC One.

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: “NUJ members across the BBC are taking action to defend jobs and quality journalism at the corporation. They are angry and frustrated at the poor decisions being taken at the top of the BBC – decisions that are leading to journalists being forced out of their jobs and quality journalism and programming compromised. Continue reading »

Susanna Reid has topped a poll of the most popular BBC Breakfast presenters of all time.

The RadioTimes.com poll showed the Reid garnered 52% of the vote, with Sian Williams placing second with 12%.

Reid’s current co-presenter Bill Turnbull rated the third most popular with 8% of the vote.

Sophie Rawroth was fourth and Louise Minchin fifth. Continue reading »

BBC Breakfast presenters Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid, and Louise Minchin and Charlie Stayt have donned their best cycling outfits for the 2012 BBC Breakfast Christmas Challenge.

In celebration of a wonderful year of sport, the Breakfast team were set a sporty challenge this year that would test their skills on a bike, as well as their nerve – to take part in a presenter race at the National Cycling Centre’s Velodrome track in Manchester, in front of Team GB Olympic champions and thousands of cycling fans.

Divided into two teams, Bill & Susanna (pink team) and Louise & Charlie (yellow team), they were required to race on the track individually in the quickest time possible, before having their scores added together to give an overall team result. Continue reading »

The BBC has apologised following an accidental f-bomb that snuck its way on to the air during its Breakfast show this week.

Presenter Susanna Reid was introducing guest John Wilson on Wednesday morning when a voice off-screen was heard saying “What the f*** is that?”.

The beeb placed the blame on a microphone outside the studio that was left on. Continue reading »

The BBC has shut down any talk that the Breakfast show is moving back to London.

The BBC One series made the move to the new BBC North base in Salford, Greater Manchester in April, joining the likes of Blue Peter and Dragon’s Den at the base.

This week there has been rumours that the series will move back to London due to issues in attracting high profile guests for the show.

The BBC has released a statement saying there are “no plans to move any part” of the show. Continue reading »

BBC Breakfast broadcast for the first time this morning from their new base at Salford Quays.

The show, which has been based in London until now, is among a group of major BBC shows to make the move north to MediaCityUK.

Bill Turnbull, Susanna Reid, Louise Minchin and Charlie Stayt all stayed with the show when it made its move while Sian Williams and sports reporter Chris Hollins opted to stay in London.

Breakfast deputy editor Adam Bullimore said prior to the move that the programme itself will not change in any major way.

“The BBC has a job to report UK-wide and there’s a commitment to bringing programmes and news from all parts of the UK, and Breakfast is part of that plan,” he said.

“The tone of voice might change a bit. But it’s keeping the fundamental ingredients the same. The things that have made the programme so successful in recent years will still be there.”

Source: Digital Spy

On Tuesday 10 April, BBC Breakfast will broadcast from its new home in MediaCityUK, Salford Quays, for the first time.

The flagship programme will continue to be presented by a team well known to the Breakfast audience, with Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid and Louise Minchin and Charlie Stayt forming the main family of presenters.

Business presenter Stephanie McGovern and sports presenters Sally Nugent and Mike Bushell will continue in their current roles in Salford, while Carol Kirkwood will also remain part of the team, continuing to present Breakfast’s weather reports from London and locations across the UK, along with her other responsibilities with the Met Office.

Since the programme’s launch in October 2000 BBC Breakfast has established its position as an important part of the audience’s day. Broadcasting more than three hours of live news, sport and entertainment every day, Breakfast’s move to Salford comes during a hugely successful period as it continues to reach over 12 million viewers per week.

BBC Breakfast broadcasts daily from 6.00am on BBC One and the News Channel.

As previously reported, Daybreak bosses are apparently unable to fire Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley from their ailing show because the cost is too dear but rumour has it that Daybreak bosses are preparing to hire BBC Breakfast’s Chris Hollins for a “significant role” on the breakfast programme.

Hollins, who has proved a popular personality outside of the programme (winning Strictly Come Dancing), has confirmed that he won’t be part of BBC Breakfast when it moves to Manchester next year, could be brought in to work with Chiles and Bleakley.

An insider said, “The feeling is that Adrian is the main issue as audience research keeps showing him up as being grumpy.  The bosses want him. They reckon he could have what it takes to help the show snare more viewers.  Getting him on board will also put a rocket up the current set-up, which has had mixed reviews from the audiences.  If Chris signed up and Adrian, who is temperamental at the best of times, got the hump, he might just quit. I don’t think that would overly concern ITV.”

The BBC has been forced to apologise following Dame Helen Mirren’s visit to BBC Breakfast on Tuesday morning.

The Oscar-winning actress, who was on the show promoting her new film Arthur,  swore on the live broadcast while talking about John Gielgud.

“Well in that sort of wonderful voice he had,” Mirren told Bill Turnbull and Sian Williams, before impersonating him by saying: “You little s**t.”

Mirren quickly apologised, saying: I’m so sorry! I do apologise.”

Turnbull and Williams also covered their backs, saying:  ”If you heard that, we’re very sorry.”

Source: Digital Spy

BBC criticised for “sneering” book coverage

The BBC has been criticised for its coverage of genre fiction during last month’s World Book Night programmes on BBC Two. A group of authors have complained, saying the coverage was laced with a “sneering tone”.

Townsend lined up for BBC

ITV football expert Andy Townsend is being lined up by the BBC to replace Chris Hollins on BBC Breakfast. Townsend is said to be a strong candidate for the role which will be vacant when the BBC moves the production to its new Salford Quays base.

The Hotel opens to 1.94m

Channel 4’s new docusoap series The Hotel has opened to an audience of nearly 2 million on Sunday night. The premiere averaged 1.94m in the 8pm hour.

Kelly to depart Coro

Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly, who plays Becky, has announced she is departing the soap at the end of this year. 

Glee creator apologises

Glee creator Ryan Murphy has apologised for his rant against Kings of Leon earlier in the year where he called the band “self-centred assholes” for their refusal to allow their songs to be used on the show.