George Alagiah is to become the sole presenter of the BBC’s Six O’Clock News following the departure of Natasha Kaplinsky.
Kaplinsky, left the BBC to join Five News in a deal believed to be worth £1m a year.
Alagiah, who joined the Six O’Clock News in 2003, said he felt “honoured” to be asked to present on his own.
Peter Horrocks, BBC Head of Television News, said:
“The Six O’Clock News will now be built around George’s warmth and great experience. He has enormous versatility being as comfortable reporting from scenes of flood devastation as from Downing Street.
“The bulletin has a special remit to report fully stories from around the UK and we will be devising plans with George to fulfil this objective, at a time when our competitors are reducing their commitment to the regions of the UK.”
He added: “The move is also a more effective use of resources while still maintaining the core values of the bulletin.”
