Nightingale: top newscaster
ITN’s Mary Nightingale said being named newscaster of the year by the Television and Radio Industry Club was an endorsement of her decision to hang up her travelling bag for a full-time role on the ITV newsdesk.
Nightingale, who left ITV’s Wish You Were Here last January, collected her award from last year’s winner, the BBC’s Peter Sissons.
Nightingale, who co-presents ITV’s Evening News with Dermot Murnaghan, said she was "thrilled" to receive her first award
"Coming back to news after leaving Wish You Were Here was really something I wanted to do, and this backs up the decision," she said.
Former colleague Kirsty Young, who left ITV News to return to Channel 5, was also nominated for the award, along with Michael Buerk from the BBC.
Guardian journalist Simon Hoggart picked up the radio programme of the year award, for the BBC show The News Quiz. The award was presented by Neil and Christine Hamilton.
Hoggart, who appeared reluctant to be photographed with the Hamiltons dismissed the couple’s jibes about their treatment at the hands of the press. "I would just like to say how proud I am that my newspaper, The Guardian, exposed them," said Hoggart.
The Hamiltons both left the stage while photographers continued to take pictures of the team.
The lifetime achievement award went to television presenter Gloria Hunniford, who began her broadcasting career in 1969 as a BBC reporter.
By Julie Tomlin
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