ITV confirms 'News at Ten' return

News at Ten will return to the ITV1 lineup next year with Sir Trevor McDonald as its main host.

Confirming recent speculation, ITV announced today that its flagship bulletin would be restored to its traditional slot at some point "during" 2008. McDonald will "lead" a team of anchors including poached Sky News recruit Julie Etchingham and Mark Austin, who has been the main face of ITV's 10.30pm bulletin in recent years. Austin has also signed a new, three-year deal keeping him with ITN.

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"News at Ten is part of the architecture of television," said Mark Sharman, ITV's director of news and sport. "Traditionally it has been an appointment to view and has always offered quality and accessibility in its reporting and presentation.

"We welcome its return to ITV's schedules and we are confident that the team of Trevor McDonald, Julie Etchingham and Mark Austin, together with our excellent correspondents and production values, will return News at Ten to its place in the nation's affections."

ITV News editor-in-chief David Mannion added: "The return of News at Ten represents a huge vote of confidence in ITV News by ITV. We relish the challenge to return the programme to its former position as Britain's favourite news show."