The faces of TV's election night: Broadcasters prepare to unveil July 4 presenting line ups with Laura Kuenssberg tipped to host on BBC, Tom Bradby anchoring on ITV and Kay Burley fronting coverage on Sky News

23/05/2024

General elections are the biggest nights in the TV news calendar, and with all eyes on July 4 the nation's broadcasters are now preparing to unveil their presenting line ups.

Channel 4 became the first major channel to confirm their choices last month before the poll had even been called - with Emily Maitlis announced as their main presenter.

Sky News has also been quick on the act, revealing today that Kay Burley will serve as their election night anchor.

The BBC traditionally dominates election night coverage, but is yet to confirm its plans, while ITV are remaining similarly tight-tipped despite Tom Bradby being widely tipped for the top job.

Below, MailOnline runs through everything we know so far -

BBC: Laura Kuenssberg is the hot favourite

Huw Edwards was previously the face of the BBC's election coverage, so his departure over a sex texts scandal opened up a major vacancy.

Laura Kuenssberg has been widely tipped to replace him, with reports suggesting she could be joined by News at Ten host Clive Myrie, 59.

Kuenssberg, 47, currently fronts her own Sunday morning interview programme, but was previously the BBC's political editor - making her well suited to take up the role.

Laura Kuenssberg has been widely tipped to replace Huw Edwards as the BBC's election night host

Reports suggest she could be joined by News at Ten host Clive Myrie, 59

Last year the broadcaster hit back at claims she has lost viewers for her Sunday morning politics show since taking over from Andrew Marr, saying her programme is 'bucking the trend' by seeing higher viewing figures.

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The shadow of the Edwards scandal will hang over the BBC's election coverage last year.

The BBC veteran has been off air since last July after he was accused of paying a 17-year-old teenager £35,000 for sexual images over three years.

Edwards was allegedly warned by the BBC about his online conduct two years before the scandal broke, according to reports last month.

The newsreader, 62, was spoken to about his behaviour on two separate occasions in 2021 and 2022, according to reports.

The first meeting came after a complaint from a woman, who was in her 40s at the time, in May 2021, it was alleged. She had requested that Edwards stop contacting her, which prompted bosses to speak to him 'about his actions'.

However, they remained in contact, leading to a second complaint from the woman, in 2022, The Times said. A senior manager allegedly spoke to Edwards again, advising that 'further concerns had been raised' and any contact 'should now cease'.

The shadow of the Huw Edwards scandal will hang over the BBC's election coverage last year

But the pair are said to have remained in touch via email.

The BBC said in response to the Edwards' story last month: 'When dealing with non-editorial complaints we have longstanding and robust processes in place. We will always seek to handle any such issues with care, fairness and sensitivity to everyone concerned.'

Asked about its election coverage today, a spokesman told MailOnline: 'We will set out our plans in due course.'

Channel 4: Emily Maitlis confirmed

While many broadcasters are still finalising their schedules, Channel 4 has already confirmed Emily Maitlis as its choice for the general election.

Maitlis, 53, will present the election special alongside Channel 4 News presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

The former newsreader joins a eclectic line-up of presenters including BBC Sport presenter Clare Balding and political analyst Rory Stewart.

Maitlis revealed she was leaving the BBC in 2022 and now co-hosts The News Agents podcast alongside Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall.

Emily Maitlis has already been confirmed as the face of Channel 4's general election coverage

The former BBC presenter is best known for her 2019 interview with Prince Andrew about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

She was recently portrayed on screen in the Netflix movie Scoop, which details the events around her Newsnight interview with the Duke of York in which she grilled him about his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

'I'm delighted to be bringing The News Agents to the heart of Channel 4 on this important night - and to work with such an incredible cast of people,' Maitlis said. 'I cannot wait.'

Throughout the night, Maitlis and Guru-Murthy will be joined by Stewart and Alastair Campbell, who will host a live version of their hit podcast The Rest is Politics as thee results come in.

The duo will also be joined by some familiar faces from the reality TV show Gogglebox.

Elsewhere, broadcaster Cathy Newman will present from the Labour and Conservative campaign headquarters while Balding will break down the data as it comes in.

Channel 4 News political editor Gary Gibbon will deliver analysis and a team of reporters will be at key counts across the country to capture the drama as the results are declared.

Channel 4's eclectic line-up for its general election coverage will feature (pictured left to right) Cathy Newman, Rory Stewart, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Emily Maitlis, Alastair Campbell and Clare Balding

Guru-Murthy, 54, said: 'I'm so looking forward to joining this brilliant line-up of people to capture an exciting and historic night.

'We will have piercing analysis, sharp interviews and all those memorable moments as the results come in.

'I think this is going to be one of those rare election nights we remember for decades so I hope viewers will enjoy spending it with us.'

Stewart, 51, said: 'I'm really looking forward to bringing the podcast to life on TV with Alastair live on Channel 4.

'Hopefully we can still disagree agreeably even in the heat of the electoral madness.'

Campbell, 66, added: 'The success and continuing growth of The Rest Is Politics podcast has shown there is a huge appetite for serious sensible debate and on what promises to be one of the most important and exciting election nights in many a year I am delighted that Rory Stewart and I will be part of Channel 4's coverage.'

Sky News: Kay Burley confirmed

Sky today revealed its election coverage plans today - unveiling Kay Burley as its main presenter.

The 63-year-old will anchor Election Night Live, the overnight results programme, from a 360-degree immersive studio normally used by Sky Sports shows like Monday Night Football.

Kay Burley will lead Sky News' coverage of election night

Burley, who will be covering her 12th general election, will be joined by political editor Beth Rigby, Sir Trevor Phillips and data and economics editor Ed Conway.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, will join former Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Baroness Ruth Davidson, to provide guest analysis.

Professor Michael Thrasher will lead Sky News psephology team, as he has at every election since 1989.

ITV: Tom Bradby set to return

Tom Bradby hosted ITV's coverage of election night in 2019 and attracted 1.4million viewers - the second highest after the BBC.

The host of ITV's News at 10 was joined by political editor Robert Peston and national editor Allegra Stratton, while George Osborne and Ed Balls were in the studio to comment on proceedings - aided by Ruth Davidson and Alan Johnson.

ITV has not yet announced its coverage plans, but it seems likely Bradbury will make a reappearance.

Bradby is an ITV veteran and previously served as the network's royal correspondent.

Famously, he is a firm friend of Prince Harry and was one of two journalists he selected to carry out a sit-down interview to promote his tell-all memoir, Spare.