Morris and Frith: to host Liquid News on Fridays
A new weekly round-up edition of Liquid News is being launched by the BBC, which will be presented by Heat magazine editor Mark Frith.
After impressing BBC bosses with his presenting stint on the show after the death of presenter Christopher Price, Frith has signed a six-month contract that will see him hosting the new Friday night programme.
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Due to go on air when BBC Choice relaunches Liquid News in October, the prerecorded programme will be on at 7pm and will provide an entertainment news round-up, more in-depth analysis of the main stories of the week and a look at what’s coming up over the weekend.
The new weekly edition will have a slightly different look to the five live shows and the programme’s bosses are considering ideas for a new title: "We want to build on the success of the Liquid News brand," said the programme’s editor, Chris Wilson. "The idea was to have a programme where we would have more time to identify the main stories of the week, analyse them a bit more and get the key guests of the week on the show."
Frith has been a regular pundit on the show since it launched two years ago. After Price’s death this year from a rare brain disease similar to meningitis, he stood in along with a host of other guest presenters. He will continue editing Heat when he makes his TV debut.
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As in the regular live programme, the Friday round-up will have two presenters – Frith will work alongside Australian comedian Julia Morris who is a regular guest on the programme.
BBC Choice controller Stuart Murphy described the pair as "a formidable team".
Wilson added: "Mark Frith has a colossal amount of knowledge about the industry and will hopefully bring a more cerebral slant and considered view. Julia will give us humour and a witty review of the week."
Showbiz reporter Colin Paterson and former National Lottery presenter Claudia Winkleman will co-host the programme from Sundays to Thursdays. The show recently moved to a 7pm slot.
By Julie Tomlin
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