Bafta honour for veteran TV news presenter

Veteran broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald – the face of ITV News for many years – is to be given a major honour at the TV Baftas.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th May 2011, 09:28 BST

The former News At Ten anchor and presenter of Tonight will be given the Academy Fellowship at the awards event on Sunday. He joins figures such as Lord Bragg, Sir David Jason and Richard Curtis who have previously been given the highest honour at the annual ceremony.

It is being awarded to recognise his “outstanding and exceptional contribution to television”.

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Sir Trevor said: “This is a magnificent surprise. I am honoured and absolutely delighted to join such a distinguished list of previous recipients.”

The award will be handed over at the Philips British Academy Television Awards which take place at London’s Grosvenor House and are presented by Graham Norton.

During his extensive career the 71-year-old Trinidad-born presenter has interviewed many of the world’s leading figures including Nelson Mandela, US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

John Willis, the Academy’s TV committee chairman, said: “No journalist and presenter is better loved and respected by the audience than Sir Trevor McDonald.”