Martha Kearney tipped for C4 News role

Martha Kearney, the host of BBC Radio 4's World At One programme, has reportedly emerged as the leading candidate to join the Channel 4 News presenting team.

Last December, Channel 4 News confirmed plans to hire a new, high-profile presenter to cover for Jon Snow and Krishnan Guru-Murthy when they are away. According to The Guardian, the 53-year-old Kearney is now the preferred choice to take on the role.

Her extensive presenting experience includes working across a variety of major BBC news programmes, including Newsnight on BBC Two and Radio 4's Today programme, along with Woman's Hour. She also previously worked at Channel 4 on Week in Politics.

It is not clear at this stage whether the Channel 4 News role would require Kearney to leave World At One, which she has fronted since 2007.

Kearney's agent declined to comment on the report. But a Channel 4 News spokesperson said: "We are in the initial stages of identifying a new main presenter to join Jon and Krishnan and are considering a number of options.

"This will be a central role to the programme and it would be inappropriate to begin ruling people in or out at this early stage."

The Channel 4 News changes, part of the broadcaster's post-Big Brother "creative renewal", also include an expanded role for Guru-Murthy and more live studio debates.