Industry | 2010.03.17
Donal MacIntyre to co-host London Tonight
Investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre to join Katie Derham as presenter of ITV1 regional news show from 6 April
Investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre is to anchor ITV1\'s London regional news programme London Tonight alongside co-presenter Katie Derham.
MacIntyre, who sprang to fame with a series of undercover documentaries for ITV\'s World in Action and the BBC and has recently been presenting a Sunday night show on BBC Radio 5 Live , will join ITV1\'s news bulletin for the capital on 6 April.
He replaces Matt Teale, who has been presenting London Tonight on a temporary basis since Alastair Stewart left to present the ITV News 6.30pm in September last year.
ITN, which produces London Tonight, said MacIntyre, along with anchoring the show, would conduct "exclusive high profile interviews with key figures and celebrities".
It is the Irishman\'s first TV news anchor role, 11 years after he became a household name with his sometimes controversial BBC1 series, MacIntyre Undercover, in which he investigated the modelling industry and infiltrated a gang of Chelsea football hooligans .
Another programme, about the abuse of elderly people in a care home, sparked a long-running legal battle .
MacIntyre said: "Having a background like mine: Irish, American and more, the thing I am more than anything is a Londoner – and the prospect of being part of the London Tonight team is very exciting for me.
"I\'m looking forward to being part of a talented and ambitious editorial team that gets under the skin of the stories that really matter to London."
MacIntyre joined Channel Five in 2003 and has presented a number of investigative series for the broadcaster. He has also presented programmes for ITV and Sky1 and reached the final of ITV1\'s Dancing on Ice last year.
The ITV London Tonight editor, Faye Nickolds said: "Donal will be a fantastic addition to the programme. With the general election looming and a buzz around London ahead of the 2012 Olympics, Donal will bring his unique brand of journalism and presenting to up to a million viewers a night."
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