Simon McCoy joins GB News after stepping down from BBC News role

Simon McCoy has announced he is to join GB News as a presenter after confirming his exit from the BBC.

The host’s departure from the BBC was revealed on Thursday when a floor manager for the BBC’s lunchtime news tweeted that he had enjoyed working with McCoy on his “final week”.

The 59-year-old then confirmed that this week has been his last at the corporation – and his GB News appointment was announced just hours later.

In a statement shared on Tuesday afternoon, John McAndrew, director of news and programmes for the new channel, said: “Simon’s journalistic integrity, warmth and personality is a perfect fit for what we’re doing at GB News.

“He’s a brilliant journalist with an exceptional ability to relate to people in an upbeat way so we’re keen to get him out from behind a desk and talking to people from all parts of the United Kingdom.”

GB News is set to launch later this year, and McCoy isn’t the first BBC face to land a role at the channel.

Watch: BBC anchor shows disgust with royal baby news

In September 2020, Andrew Neil was confirmed as the station’s chairman and has been the face of GB News in the run-up to its launch.

Earlier this month, he teased what viewers can expect from the channel, revealing that his nightly news recap will include segments called "Mediawatch" and "Wokewatch".

Other signings include former Sky presenter Colin Brazier, who will anchor a GB News daytime debate show, and Apprentice winner turned Brexit Party candidate Michelle Dewberry.

Read more: Piers Morgan packs up his GMB office

Comedian Andrew Doyle – whose satirical online alter-ego is Titania McGrath – will host a weekday show with the working title Free Speech Nation.

While more detailed programming information and schedules have yet to be confirmed, the channel has been labelled a “British Fox News” by critics.

Watch: Simon McCoy unable to stop laughing during polar bear news segment