DAVIS TAKING REINS FROM PAXMAN
Presenter Evan Davis has been announced as Jeremy Paxman's replacement on Newsnight.
Paxman, famous for his abrasive style, bowed out of the BBC2 news programme after 25 years in June.
Disarming interviewer Davis, best known for his role on Dragons' Den and Radio 4 flagship breakfast news show Today, has landed the job despite female Newsnight presenters Laura Kuenssberg, Kirsty Wark and Emily Maitlis having been tipped for the plum role.
For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only. BBC undated handout photo of Evan Davis who has been announced as Jeremy Paxman's replacement on Newsnight. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date date: Monday July 21, 2014. Paxman bowed out of the BBC2 news programme after 25 years in June. BBC director general Tony Hall said that Davis, best known for his role on Dragons' Den and Radio 4 flagship breakfast news show Today, would do an "outstanding" job. See PA story MEDIA Newsnight. Photo credit should read: BBC /PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
BBC director general Tony Hall made the announcement at a press conference on the BBC's annual report.
Asked about Davis beating several women to the job, he said: "Evan is an outstanding journalist, an extraordinarily clever and intelligent interviewer. He has a wonderful presence on TV.
"I've got no doubt he will be a really great presenter on Newsnight."
The appointment came as the Trust pointed to a "continued gender imbalance in BBC output".
It said there needs to be "a co-ordinated plan from the Executive" to address the issue.
Earlier this month, BBC Radio 5 Live came under fire for a lack of female presenters in its new line-up.
The news comes after a turbulent period for Newsnight in which an investigation into Jimmy Savile's sex crimes was dropped and a separate story led to Lord McAlpine being wrongly accused of child abuse.
Davis, 52, who will be leaving Today, will be anchoring the programme three nights a week from the autumn.
He wrote on Twitter: "I didn't believe it when I read about it in the papers but now it's official. I'll be leaving @BBCr4today and heading off to Newsnight.
"I had been determined to outlive John Humphrys on @BBCr4today so I have failed. But you can't turn down Newsnight."
A former economics editor on Newsnight, he has been a Today programme host for six years.
Wark, Maitlis and Kuenssberg will all continue to present Newsnight.
The programme's editor Ian Katz said: "Evan brings a rare combination of curiosity, intelligence and mischief to his broadcasting - just the qualities I want Newsnight to be known for. I've admired him from afar as a listener and viewer for years, and I'm thrilled that he's joining us to help reinvent the show where he made his name in the 90s."
Davis - formerly an economist before joining the BBC - said of his new roles: "While it is a scary prospect, it will be an adventure and a challenge, and I hope the viewers will be happy with the result."
He pointed out that he felt "terribly sad" to leave his present role and he paid tribute to the team: "I have been there for over six years and those have been some of the most satisfying of my career.
"That programme is put together by remarkably few people, and I can't praise them highly enough for their professionalism and companionship," added the Oxford graduate.
Channel 4's Krishnan Guru-Murthy and broadcaster Eddie Mair were also tipped as favourites for the job of Newsnight's lead presenter.
While some welcomed the news on Twitter, calling it "a great decision" and "a great call", others were not so keen, writing: "One more good reason never to watch it again."
Gwyneth Williams, the controller of Radio 4, said: "I would like to thank Evan for his inimitable contribution to Today, marked by intelligent inquiry, wit and the exposure of hubris. His loyal audience of seven million listeners will miss his take on modern Britain."
The BBC's director general thanked Paxman for his "outstanding contribution", adding: "Over many years he's created moments of real discomfort for politicians and others, and also memorable delight for the audience."
For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only. BBC undated handout photo of Evan Davis who has been announced as Jeremy Paxman's replacement on Newsnight. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date date: Monday July 21, 2014. Paxman bowed out of the BBC2 news programme after 25 years in June. BBC director general Tony Hall said that Davis, best known for his role on Dragons' Den and Radio 4 flagship breakfast news show Today, would do an "outstanding" job. See PA story MEDIA Newsnight. Photo credit should read: Jude Edginton/BBC /PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.
