5 News

I bet Natasha is kicking herself over moving - well, I suppose the money is good, but still I think it's a huge shame that she jumped ship, thinking she would be anchoring a big news bulletin alone, and although she still is, Five News is a shadow of its innovative former self in terms of the promotion.

The bulletin cuts have been terrible, getting rid of great presenters like Kate Gerbou (sp) especially. The lunchtime bulletin was actually quite good. It just seems to me that Five have forgotten about their news output in favour of 'Live From Studio Five' which is just doing terrible in the ratings.

I was actually surprised she went to five news. Although she was givens loads of money Five news isn't in the same league as BBC, Sky or ITV - it won't have really done much for her career...but I suppose she wanted to be at the top whichever channel she was on - Huw, Fiona etc were in the way at the BBC.

Anyone know who will be replacing Natasha when she goes on maternity leave? According to the Mail, she's due in 2 weeks...

Friday was her last show

Almost, it was last Thursday

Someone has seen sense at Five tonight, and cut Live from Studio Five down to 35 minutes. Replaced with a news special at 7pm

I imagine it will be a very similar programme to the one Sky News are showing at the same time. Maybe even the same programme.

They mentioned it at every programme junction last night.

After all, LFSF is supposed to be part of Five's news remit! Surely they would be harangued by their many detractors if they continued to broadcast their usual low-brow drivel instead of proper news at present.

Who's been reading the Five News updates the last couple of nights? A young woman - redhead. Anyone know? I've never caught her introducing herself at the start each bulletin.

It's former ITV Anglia news reporter Louise Beale, who had a short spell in late 2009 as a reporter at Sky News. I think she left Anglia around mid-august time last year.

Thanks.

Five News at 7 has returned.

Looked like it was coming from a green screen though...