News Knight seeking new host

Satirical ITV1 comedy quiz show News Knight faces an un-certain future following the news that ITV is to resurrect its News at Ten broadcast with Sir Trevor McDonald back at the helm.

Earlier in the year, the veteran newsreader hosted a seven episode run of News Knight with Sir Trevor McDonald however, with Sir Trevor due to resume duties on the network's flagship nightly news bulletin (which Michael Grade is moving back to 10pm next year) it looks certain he will no longer be able to continue to host the topical satire show too.

An ITV source told MediaGuardian: "When the News at Ten returns News Knight will move into a new slot, perhaps after the news, and obviously there are problems about him [Sir Trevor] doing the news and also a news satire because of the controversy he may attract".

Back in June, Sir Trevor attracted complaints when he described Bernard Manning as a "fat, white bastard" on News Knight days after the controversial comic's death. Around 200 people complained that the newsreader was inappropriate or racist, however the broadcaster was later cleared of any wrongdoing by regulator Ofcom because the remark was made in the context of a satirical show.

ITV will almost certainly not allow Sir Trevor to continue to host News Knight to ensure that the newsreader does not risk becoming the news again. Hosting another series of the comedy would also clearly threaten to undermine the veteran's credibility - sections in the previous series included 'Saudis Do the Funniest Things', and 'Gay Or Blind?'.

However, the News Knight format is almost certain to continue next year, having attracted a respectable Sunday night audience of around 3 million viewers this summer. It is therefore believed ITV are currently looking for a replacement host for the show.