BBC green-lights new current affairs show

The BBC has confirmed it has picked up a twenty-eight programme run over three series of a new current affairs magazine show, Real Story.

The programme, to be transmitted on BBC One, will be hosted by Fiona Bruce, who also presents the Ten O'Clock News and daytime quiz show Call My Bluff on the channel.

Ever-sensitive to criticism that the corporation's current affairs output is dumbing down, the BBC's Head of Current Affairs, Peter Horrocks, said: "It will be popular current affairs, but with BBC values."

In a press release, the corporation describes the show as giving "a human face to the week's big stories." Real Story, produced by the current affairs unit at BBC Manchester, will draw from both BBC News and local bureaus in the Nations and Regions to feature three items per show. However, it will dedicate shows to one story as needed and in the event of late-breaking news, will go live.