BBC Breakfast moves to Salford: Susanna Reid tones down her look for first broadcast from MediaCity

By
Emily Sheridan


PUBLISHED:

03:53 EST, 10 April 2012

|

UPDATED:

06:43 EST, 10 April 2012

TV show BBC Breakfast was broadcast for the first time from its new home in Salford’s MediaCityUK this morning.

And so not to distract from their new home, presenter Susanna Reid made sure no-one was talking about her cleavage in a chic orange dress as she greeted viewers this morning.

Presenters Bill Turnbull and Reid welcomed viewers from the same set, but with a different background, before going on to interview Salford-based guests on the sofa.

Welcome to Salford: Presenters Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid broadcast from the new BBC Breakfast set in MediaCity, Salford this morning

Welcome to Salford: Presenters Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid broadcast from the new BBC Breakfast set in MediaCity, Salford this morning

The pair introduced their new setting after an item preview on one in four people reportedly not knowing their neighbours.

Reid said: ‘Talking of making
new friends, we are very glad you have joined us for our first morning
from our new studio in Salford.’

Turnbull continued: ‘We have still got our old friends, of course, too – Carol has the weather.’

But weather presenter Carol Kirkwood will have to wait for her first Salford broadcast as she was out on location at Upton House and Gardens in Banbury, Oxfordshire for her live forecast.

Same studio, different city: The pair prepare to broadcast from MediaCityUK for the first time

Same studio, different city: The pair prepare to broadcast from MediaCityUK for the first time

But will the stars come? Critics of the BBC's costly move to Salford complain the show will struggle to attract big name guests to commute from London

But will the stars come? Critics of the BBC’s costly move to Salford complain the show will struggle to attract big name guests to commute from London

Several guests on today’s show were Manchester-based, including human rights lawyer Pete Weatherby QC, who discussed the possible extradition of radical preacher Abu Hamza.

Dr
David Holmes, a psychologist at Manchester Metropolitan University,
chatted about the survey on neighbours, while theatre star Connie Fisher
– who is starring in the Salford Quays production of Wonderful Town –
also appeared on the red sofa.

Turnbull and Reid have both made the move from London to Salford, along with Louise Minchin and Charlie Stayt.

‘Fuss about nothing’: Reid has complained about the fuss over her cleavage when she’s previously worn low-cut dresses

As permanent staff members, Turnbull and Reid would be entitled to a full relocation package if they move their families up to Manchester, but Minchin and Stayt would have to fund their own move because they are on freelance contracts.

It had been reported Reid, 41, would commute daily from London, but the BBC have declined to confirm or deny her living arrangements.

However, former anchor Sian Williams and sports presenter Chris Hollins declined to relocate, so have left the show.

Out with the old: Turnbull with his former colleague Sian Williams on the BBC Breakfast set at London's BBC Television Centre last year

Out with the old: Turnbull with his former colleague Sian Williams on the BBC Breakfast set at London’s BBC Television Centre last year

Last month, Reid complained about the
attention give to her cleavage in some of the low-cut tops she has
previously worn on the show.

She told the Radio Times: ‘People
seem to be shocked that women have breasts. There’ll be complaints about
the fact that there is literally a shadow showing.

‘People are always going to talk about what women wear on TV. It’s a fact of life.’

Around 46 per cent of BBC Breakfast staff have relocated for MediaCityUK, joining the 2,200 BBC employees now based in Salford.

New location: The BBC MediaCityUK development in Salford Quays

New location: The BBC MediaCityUK development in Salford Quays

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BBC Breakfast moves to Salford: Susanna Reid tones down her look for first broadcast from MediaCity