Fresh blow to ‘missing’ BBC News presenters as five stars forced to reapply for jobs AGAIN after nine months off screens
THE five BBC News presenters who were dealt the ultimate snub by the broadcaster have been given a fresh blow in a bid for their jobs.
The TV stars have not been seen on screen for nine months after they lost their jobs following the merger of BBC News Channel and BBC World News.
Martine Croxall was one of the stars to not be offered one of the five chief presenter jobs on the newly-merged channel.
The popular BBC star along with Karin Giannone, Geeta Guru-Murthy, Kasia Madera, and Annita McVeigh have since been stuck in a state of limbo regarding their future as broadcasters at the channel.
Questions and concerns were later raised over how fair the recruitment process was over the newly-created jobs.
The move, which was heavily criticised, was part of the cash-strapped station's cost cutting measures.
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It was first reported last year that the sidelined hosts had all been asked to re-apply for thier jobs in order to win a slot on the BBC.
Nw, it is understood that they have been asked to do so once again for the second time.
According to Deadline, all five women have been invited back to re-apply again for two new chief presenting and anchor roles that have opened up at the station.
One is a newly-created position whilst the second is to replace Yalda Hakim after she quit her role in order to move to Sky News.
It is understood that all five women will have to complete lengthy application forms as well as submit showreel video footage of their presenting abilities in order to secure the job.
The report also states that the women who aren't successful could be offered correspondent roles - a demotion from their prime anchor jobs that they have held.
The latest twist in the tale comes just days after The Times reported that the BBC were planning to welcome all five back on air in the coming weeks in a bid to avoid any potential legal action.
An insider said: “They’re all litigious and the National Union of Journalists will back them.
"Plus, the BBC is short of presenters so there are no grounds to make them redundant. And they’re all capable of doing the role.
"A reverse ferret is definitely the best plan.”
Martine Croxall previously teased to fans she would be back on air in 2024.
The 54-year-old shared a throwback of herself as a budding reporter at the beginning of her career when she was asked about her highly-anticipated return to the airwaves.
She simply said: “2024. Date tbc.”
