‘Newswhite’ no more? Clive Myrie is tipped to replace Emily Maitlis on flagship BBC programme

BBC chiefs are lining up journalist and newsreader Clive Myrie to replace Emily Maitlis on Newsnight, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The presenter, who led the Corporation’s coverage in Ukraine at the start of the war and also hosts BBC2’s Mastermind quiz, has emerged as a popular choice due to his ‘astounding talent’ and ability to ‘turn his hand to anything’.

Sources claim he is favourite to replace Ms Maitlis, who quit the BBC last month to take up a job with the commercial radio giant Global.

One insider said: ‘Clive is adored at the BBC. He is a proper journalist, but very nice with it. 

‘He can do anything. He is primarily an amazing journalist, but he can also present, making him the perfect fit.’

Sources claim he is favourite to replace Ms Maitlis, who quit the BBC last month to take up a job with the commercial radio giant Global.

There may, however, be a tug- of-love over the 57-year-old, with news chiefs desperate to hang on to him. 

Myrie was hailed for anchoring the Corporation’s initial coverage of the war in Ukraine and for his moving reports from Kyiv. 

He also won acclaim for a series of reports from inside hospital wards at the height of the Covid pandemic.

BBC veterans and good friends Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel (pictured) are leaving the corporation to join Global, owners of LBC, where they will front a show and a podcast together

At last year’s Royal Television Society Journalism Awards, Myrie was named Television Journalist of the Year and Network Presenter of the Year

Two years ago, The Mail on Sunday revealed that Newsnight had been nicknamed ‘Newswhite’ within the television industry due to the lack of on-screen ethnic minority presenters and reporters.

Despite a pledge to improve diversity, Newsnight has featured few non-white presenters. 

Breakfast host Naga Munchetty filled in for 12 weeks in 2017 and the Corporation’s economics editor, Faisal Islam, occasionally hosts the programme.

The BBC pointed out in 2020 that Newsnight’s off-screen team exceeded the BBC target of 15 per cent black, Asian and minority ethnic representation among its staff.

At last year’s Royal Television Society Journalism Awards, Myrie was named Television Journalist of the Year and Network Presenter of the Year.

BBC bosses have several decisions to make on key staff, including who succeeds Laura Kuenssberg as political editor.