Category: News; Radio 4
Date: 12.08.2005
Printable version
91Èȱ¬ political correspondent Shaun Ley is announced today as the new presenter of news and current affairs programme The World This Weekend, broadcast Sunday lunchtimes on 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4.
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Shaun replaces long serving presenter James Cox who has retired from broadcasting.
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Colin Hancock, Editor, The World This Weekend, says: "Shaun's proved himself as a superb senior political correspondent for the 91Èȱ¬ and an excellent stand-in presenter on both The World This Weekend and The World At One.
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"His rigorous interviewing style is perfectly suited to The World This Weekend, where he'll have the space to test foreign and domestic politicians and their policies.
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"I'm sure Shaun will develop a unique approach to bringing news and current affairs to the Radio 4 audience and we're all looking forward to working with him."
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Of his new role, Shaun says: "The World This Weekend has a long and much deserved reputation for its coverage of political events
in Britain and abroad.
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"To be given the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for news with an audience
which is as demanding as that of 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4 is both challenging, and more than a little daunting.
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"The week's news generates many questions; our programme's job is to try to find some of the answers,
and have some fun along the way."
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Both Colin Hancock and Shaun Ley pay tribute to James Cox who presented The World This Weekend for over 12 years.
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Shaun says: "James Cox set a very high standard. It's a tough act to follow, but it will be made easier because of
the enthusiasm of the team who produce The World This Weekend."
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And Colin adds:
"He brought a distinctive, vivid reporting style to all his work from around Britain and the world, combining challenging, rigorous journalism with beautiful writing and a keen sense of what the Radio 4 audience wants from a news and current affairs programme."
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Shaun Ley takes over the presenting reins on 18 September 2005.
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Biography
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Shaun Ley joined the 91Èȱ¬ in 1990.
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A graduate of the London School of Economics, he was a trainee on the 91Èȱ¬'s regional journalist scheme, based in Bristol.
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After five years with the regional TV news programme Points West working as a producer, reporter and presenter, he moved to 91Èȱ¬ South East in 1995.
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He presented the weekly political programme Around Westminster and was the region's Political Editor, leading coverage of the first mayoral elections in London.
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In 2001, he was appointed as a network news Political Correspondent, and has worked across all the main radio and television news programmes.
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He has been a presenter for People and Politics (91Èȱ¬ World Service) and Straight Talk (91Èȱ¬ News 24).
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For Radio 4, he's presented editions of The World At One, Saturday PM, The Westminster Hour and The World Tonight.
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Notes to Editors
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The World this Weekend is broadcast every Sunday from 1.00 to 1.30pm on 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4, 92-95 FM, 198 LW, digital and online.
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The World This Weekend is on the road throughout August and September, reporting from locations around the world including Poland, Venezuela, Turkey, Germany and the Middle East.
