[Dougal]

There have always been the odd newsreader who front other programmes with Michael Burke jumping to mind with 999. However I need do agree there does they seen to host other programs much more now. 

I wonder if the BBC’s finances have had any impact on this. I wonder if also if the thinking is these are already recognised, trusted and popular faces and that there is less risk having these front programmes instead of risking someone unknown. 

Your example of Fiona Bruce is a good one. I have to admit whenever i see her present an bulletin for that split second I forget that she does. If you asked me to name what she does I will admit the news would be one of the last things I’d mention. It would be antique programs and question time. In relation to her fronting the election I’m not too sure. I’ve not been massively impressive with her fronting question time but thinks she’s great at roadshow and a bulletin. 

IIf it was me planning this out, I would got back to having pairs of presenters who front each of the national bulletins including at the weekends so you know generally know who will present it. Id then have a few floaters who fill in where and when needed. Then instead of having 1 person who ends up becoming the face of BBC News, instead the team become the faces of bbc news. You’d then use that team to lead things such as state opening of parliament, elections and those big national events. That way it never becomes reliant on one person its the “core” team

I'll be honest - I forgot about Michael Buerk presenting 999. The one that came to mind earlier was Martin Lewis doing The Day Today Today's the Day. It just doesn't fit well for me. Rather like Sophie Raworth doing Watchdog, I have less of an objection to Michael Buerk on 999. It's the style of the programme.

I think the bigger question is about who fills the other duties if Edwards doesn’t come back - the royal death-calibre news coverage, election nights etc. Though again I feel like they already have more than capable people who can take on those roles - I could see Mishal Husain or Nick Robinson taking over elections, for example, without needing to become more of a ‘BBC 1 face’.

This is the challenge they face. I'm not convinced that Laura Keunssberg could or should anchor the General Election. You run the risk of the present Political Editor trying to analyse and comment and his predecessor interrupting or offering their own analysis. That's why Nick Robinson isn't a bad suggestion - his time on the Today programme has perhaps softened that impetus.

If you want somebody who can make you sit up and take notice, who you can rely upon to give you the details and not impose their own opinions or ideas... you need somebody who doesn't crop up anywhere else, who doesn't appear on quiz shows or antiques shows. To my mind, that leaves you with a choice of Sophie Raworth or Mishal Husain. They have the experience of bulletins, field anchoring, rolling news, softer cultural stories, harder political stories.

But it's not up to me. If it were, I'd consider having Justin Webb back on screen. Great interviewer and a wicked sense of humour.