Veteran broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald’s brief comeback as host of ITV’s News at Ten has won him an award from the Television and Radio Industries Club.
The industry body, which promotes excellence in broadcasting, crowned him newscaster of the year at its annual awards lunch at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel yesterday.
McDonald – who came out of retirement last January to co-present the relaunched News at Ten but stepped down again in November – saw off competition from the BBC’s Fiona Bruce and former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips for the award.
Eammon Holmes, the presenter of the Sunrise edition of Sky News, was named best digital television personality, beating BSkyB colleague Jeff Stelling, host of Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports.
The BBC’s coverage of the Olympic Games in Beijing last summer won the award for high-definition programme of the year. The corporation sent more than 400 staff to cover the Games, and reported a surge in web traffic as a result of its multi-platform coverage.
The prize for sports presenter of the year went to former England striker Gary Lineker. It was a category dominated by the BBC, with Adrian Chiles and Clare Balding also shortlisted.
The judges also gave a special award to the satirical BBC current affairs show, Have I Got News For You, which is due to return for its 37th series next month.
The TRIC awards, now in their 40th year, are judged by representatives from the TV and radio industry.
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