Monday 30 December 2013

Regional News - Moves and Departures in 2013

It is often difficult to keep track of all the changes that take place in a year, so this isn't an exhaustive account, but here are some of the significant departees and movers of 2013:

Christa Ackroyd

Perhaps the most high profile departure of the year was BBC Look North's (Yorkshire) main presenter Christa Ackroyd, who left in dramatic circumstances back in the summer, after her disappearance from screen had mystified viewers for several weeks.

After lengthy stand-in stints from Nicola Rees and Charlotte Leeming, Christa's permanent replacement was announced as Amy Garcia, who after a long secondment with South Today followed by maternity leave, returned to Look North in November to join Harry Gration on the sofa.

Amy Garcia

Some of the biggest changes of 2013 have occured at ITV West Country.  Main presenter Vanessa Cuddeford left for London...

Vanessa Cuddeford

...while Cordelia Lynch moved to Channel 4 News...

Cordelia Lynch
...another familiar West Country presenter and reporter, Tanya Mercer, can now be seen on ITV Anglia.

Tanya Mercer

In came Kylie Pentelow from BBC East Midlands Today to replace Vanessa...

Kylie Pentelow

...while another Midlander, Midlands Today's Katie Rowlett, also joined the ITV West Country ranks...

Katie Rowlett

Another significant departure from the Midlands in 2013 was Kate Fisher, who left her role as  ITV Central's morning presenter to seek new challenges in the United States.

Kate Fisher

In Scotland, STV News saw two major departures as Juliet Dunlop left to go freelance...

Juliet Dunlop

...while sports presenter Caroline Henderson also said goodbye to STV.

Caroline Henderson

In Northern Ireland, popular Newsline presenter Sarah Travers left the BBC after 17 years, and can now be seen hosting UTV's The Magazine...

Sarah Travers
...while Daybreak franchise changes at the start of the year meant the departure of Jane Veitch, who now presents for Ireland.com and City of Culture News.

Jane Veitch
Wales Today appear to have bid farewell to Sian Lloyd, who has moved on to reporting and presenting roles with BBC Breakfast.

Sian Lloyd

Finally, BBC Channel Islands saw 'book end' departures in 2013, with Gwyn Garfield-Bennett leaving in January to pursue other interests...

Gwyn Garfield-Bennett
...while Amy Harris left in December, and will join the East Midlands Today team.

Amy Harris

Elaine Willcox - ITV Granada Reports

Elaine from Sunday's bulletin...





Rachel Sweeney - ITV Tyne Tees & Border

Rachel presenting this morning...





Natasha Millar - UTV Live

Natasha with Sunday's news...