Newsnight's Evan Davis to replace Eddie Mair as BBC Radio 4's new PM host

Davis will no longer serve as the lead presenter of BBC Newsnight, a position he's held since 2014

Evan Davis is the new presenter of Radio 4's PM programme, taking over from recently-departed host Eddie Mair (Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

Evan Davis has been announced as the new presenter of Radio 4's PM programme, following Eddie Mair's departure earlier this month.

Davis will no longer serve as the lead presenter of BBC Newsnight, a position he's held since 2014, and will start his new role on the station's flagship show later this autumn, the BBC has said.

Mair stepped down from Radio 4’s PM in July to host a new LBC show.

He said in a statement: "Having survived several years of people saying 'you're not as good as Jeremy Paxman', I now look forward to people saying 'you're not as good as Eddie Mair'."

"I would have loved to stay longer at Newsnight and will miss the team who've been fantastic, but PM is presenter heaven and jobs like this don't come along very often, and you have to grab them when you can."

In a tweet, Davis added: "I have to say, that I will genuinely miss the daytime office conversations with the BBC Newsnight team. Audiences perhaps don't realise how much the output depends on the vitality and intelligence of some underpaid staff."

Davis, 56, previously presented Radio 4's Today programme for six years before taking over as the main presenter on BBC Two's Newsnight from long-running host Paxman. He also presents business reality series Dragon's Den and is a former BBC economics editor.

Gwyneth Williams, controller of Radio 4, said: "PM has a special place in the lives of Radio 4 listeners and each week millions tune in to its unique blend of news and current affairs.

"I am sure that this discriminating audience will be delighted that Evan will be bringing his experience, intelligence and wit back to Radio 4's daily news programmes as he takes the helm at PM."

"Personally I very much welcome his returning voice as, day by day, Radio 4 tries to reflect a fast-changing world for our listeners."

Fran Unsworth, BBC director of news and current affairs, said: "Evan is a brilliant journalist whose warmth and individuality make him the ideal presenter for PM."

PM will continue to be presented by a range of guest journalists before Davis takes over as host, the BBC said.

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