Today programme host Evan Davis has been appointed lead presenter of Newsnight, the BBC has announced.
Davis, a former economics editor of both Newsnight and the BBC, has presented the Today programme since 2008. He will join the existing Newsnight team of Kirsty Wark, Emily Maitlis and Laura Kuenssberg.
Jeremy Paxman, who had previously presented the show for 25 years, left in June.
Editor of Newsnight, 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 Nineties.”
Over the last six months, Newsnight has broadcast a number of exclusive interviews including Harriet Harman, former Co-Op chief Paul Flowers, Silvio Berlusconi and Hillary Clinton.
Commenting on the move, Davis said: “I can’t deny that I feel terribly sad to be leaving the Today programme. 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.
“But at the same time, how could I turn down the offer of this role on Newsnight, treading in the footsteps of some of the best television presenters in the business? 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.”
Davis will anchor the show three nights a week from the autumn.
