Victoria Derbyshire has landed a top Newsnight job after leading a revolt against the BBC cancelling her own show.
The broadcaster will join the BBC Two current affairs show as joint lead presenter following the departure of Emily Maitlis, who had anchored it since 2006.
Derbyshire’s eponymous daily current affairs programme was dropped by the BBC in Jan 2020 as part of a string of cuts.
An online petition calling for the corporation to reverse its decision received more than 50,000 signatures that month.
Since then, she has presented across various BBC News services. She had reportedly been in talks with Channel 4, with speculation that she may leave the BBC.
The Newsnight permanent team now comprises Derbyshire and Kirsty Wark as lead presenters, with Faisal Islam continuing to present regularly.
Derbyshire, who joins Newsnight permanently in September, said: “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.”
Stewart Maclean, the editor of Newsnight, said: “Victoria is one of the most tenacious journalists in the business, with a fantastic ability to ask the straightforward questions our viewers want answered, and a shelf-full of major awards for her work. We’re delighted she’s joining us on Newsnight as a lead presenter alongside Kirsty.
“It’s an exciting time for Newsnight, and Victoria and Kirsty will be a formidable partnership at the heart of our presenter line-up.”
New BBC Breakfast host named
Derbyshire’s appointment to Newsnight came as Jon Kay was named as the new regular host of BBC Breakfast. He had been filling in for Dan Walker, who left for Channel 5 in April.
Jonathan Munro, the interim director of BBC News, said: “It’s fantastic to be appointing two such talented presenters to start and finish the day on two of our most important news programmes.
“Jon’s a hugely experienced journalist who’s established himself as a favourite with BBC Breakfast viewers, and Victoria’s a formidable interviewer with an amazing connection to her audiences. Congratulations to both of them.”
