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Emily Maitlis to host Channel 4 election coverage

BBC Emily MaitlisBBC
Emily Maitlis has previously presented BBC election night coverage

Former BBC news presenter Emily Maitlis, best known for grilling Prince Andrew in her now infamous Newsnight interview in 2021, is to co-host Channel 4's general election coverage.

She left the BBC in 2022 and now presents Global's The News Agents podcast alongside Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall.

Maitlis said: "I'm delighted to be bringing The News Agents to the heart of Channel 4 on this important night - and to work with such an incredible cast of people. I cannot wait."

She will present the election special alongside Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Strictly Come Dancing
Guru-Murthy took part in last year's Strictly Come Dancing

The date of the next general election has yet to be announced, but it is expected to take place later this year and must be held by January 2025.

Other well-known faces who will appear throughout the night for Channel 4 include former Labour spin doctor Alistair Campbell and ex-Conservative cabinet minister Rory Stewart, who host The Rest is Politics podcast.

Clare Balding, Channel 4 presenter Cathy Newman and Gogglebox stars will also feature.

'Historic night'

Guru-Murthy said: "I'm so looking forward to joining this brilliant line-up of people to capture an exciting and historic night.

"I think this is going to be one of those rare election nights we remember for decades so I hope viewers will enjoy spending it with us."

Stewart added that he hoped he and Campbell could "still disagree agreeably even in the heat of the electoral madness".

Other leading broadcasters are yet to reveal their election coverage plans.

Maitlis was recently portrayed by Gillian Anderson in Netflix film Scoop, based on her interview with Prince Andrew in which she took him to task over his connections with the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Channel 4 has previously tried different formats for its election night coverage, including Alternative Election Night shows featuring comedians and live audiences.

In 2019, the presenters included Katherine Ryan and Rylan, and is remembered by some for the moment when the live studio audience booed the exit poll announcement correctly predicting a Tory majority.

This time will mark a return to a more traditional format.