By Caitlin Pike
The BBC has confirmed that Andrew Marr is to step down as political
editor to take over Sir David Frost’s Breakfast with Frost Sunday
morning current affairs slot on BBC One.
Marr, who has been the BBC’s political editor since 2000, will leave
the role later in the summer. Frost has presented Breakfast with Frost
on BBC One for the past 12 and a half years. His last show will go out
on 29 May, his 500th appearance. The first edition of the new show will
go out in September.
Marr said: “It has been a wonderful and
gripping five years as political editor, but I couldn’t think of a
bigger and more thrilling challenge than my own interview programme.
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“My thanks to David Frost – this is as prestigious as it gets.”
Marr will continue to present Start the Week on Radio 4 and other landmark current affairs TV and radio programmes.
He
is also due to write and present five one-hour programmes for BBC Two,
with a working title of A History of Modern Britain. During the summer,
Peter Sissons will present one hour of news and current affairs on BBC
One every Sunday morning. The programme will be simulcast on News 24
and called News 24 Sunday.
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BBC head of news Helen Boaden said: “Andrew has been a brilliant political editor for the BBC over the past five years.
“He
has made a huge impact with our audiences who appreciate his wit and
vitality as well as his tremendous knowledge, analysis and insight.
“We
will also miss David’s enormously engaging and informative weekly
input. For more than a decade, we have benefited from star guests and
his inimitable way of getting the best out of them.”
The role of
political editor will be advertised internally at the BBC and
externally. Those thought to be in the running include ITV’s Nick
Robinson and the BBC’s Martha Kearney.
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