David Dimbleby ‘turned down the chance to present King Charles’s Coronation for the BBC because he didn’t want to play second fiddle’ – as the company announces that Kirsty Young and Huw Edwards will lead coverage
- He reportedly passed on his account of the coronation so as not to play ‘second fiddle’
- The line-up also includes Sophie Raworth, Clare Balding, JJ Chalmers and Anita Rani
David Dimbleby turned down the chance to present King Charles’s Coronation for the BBC because he didn’t want to play second fiddle, it was alleged last night – after the company announced that Kirsty Young and Huw Edwards will lead the reporting.
Dimbleby, who was not named in the BBC’s announced line-up, has been a prominent figure in the broadcaster’s political and royal coverage for many years and he came out of retirement last September to cover the Queen’s funeral procession.
The veteran covered the king’s coronation for the BBC because he didn’t want to play ‘second fiddle’ in the line-up, an insider told the Time.
Instead, Kirsty Young and Huw Edwards will be among the presenters leading the BBC’s coverage of the King’s coronation. The company’s lineup for the spectacular May event also includes Sophie Raworth, Clare Balding, JJ Chalmers and Anita Rani.
The company’s director-general, Tim Davie, said the broadcaster would “deliver the full glory of the event.”
Dimbleby’s apparent decision to turn down the opportunity appears to signal the end of his relationship with the BBC in covering royal events, a link to his father Richard covering George VI’s 1952 funeral and Queen’s coronation Elizabeth II the following year.
It comes after Dimbleby criticized the BBC’s “unwillingness to criticize the royal family” last year.
The 84-year-old Dimbleby, who was not named in the BBC’s announced line-up, has been a prominent figure in the company’s political and royal coverage for many years.
Young, 54, will be working in a studio at Buckingham Palace that day and will also headline the special live broadcast of the coronation concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle the following day
Edwards, 61, who has been praised for his handling of the announcement of the Queen’s death, will comment at Westminster Abbey
Coverage of the coronation on May 6 includes the run-up to the Westminster Abbey service, the ceremony, the retreat to Buckingham Palace and the King’s appearance on the balcony.
Young, 54, will work in a studio at Buckingham Palace that day and will also headline the special live broadcast of the coronation concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle the following day.
Edwards, 61, who has been praised for his handling of the announcement of the Queen’s death, will comment at Westminster Abbey.
Former Desert Island Discs presenter Young said: ‘I am very pleased indeed to be part of the BBC’s coverage of the coronation as our cameras capture history in the making.
Coverage of the coronation on May 6 includes the lead-up to the Westminster Abbey service, the ceremony, the return procession to Buckingham Palace and the King’s appearance on the balcony
Edwards added: “People will rely on the BBC for coverage of what promises to be a memorable weekend.”
Before the concert there will be a 300 strong coronation choir made up of performers from a variety of backgrounds including Gaelic speakers, a completely deaf gestural performers and refugee singers. It also includes Northern Irish farmers and London taxi drivers.
Radio 2’s Zoe Ball and Dermot O’Leary and Radio 4’s Martha Kearney will also be among those presenting the weekend’s coronation coverage on the radio.
Among other special programming, there will also be coronation specials from EastEnders, Countryfile, Antiques Roadshow, Songs Of Praise and Bargain Hunt.
Tim Davie said: ‘We will deliver the full glory of the coronation with all the quality, ambition and excellence for which our teams are known worldwide.’
