Entertainment
GB News recruits comedian Mark Dolan amid plummeting viewers: ‘My one promise is that it won’t be boring’
Mark Dolan will present a new show on GB News (Picture: Getty Images)
GB News has enlisted Mark Dolan for the channel as part of a major shake-up.
The network, which has had a rocky start since its launch last month, has already switched up its staff in a big way.
As part of the changes. comedian Dolan will front Tonight Live With Mark Dolan on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
GB News added that he will also appear on other shows.
Dolan’s programme takes over the slot previously held by Nana Akua, who will now present a new show on Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm.
The 47-year-old said: ‘My show will tackle the issues that really matter to people across the United Kingdom in a stimulating, informative but entertaining way.
‘My one promise is that it won’t be boring.’
Dolan is most recently known for his radio career, including his stints on talkRadio and Fubar Radio.
GB News has faced everything from technical troubles and trolling from viewers, to plummeting viewership and a controversial row in its first month of being on air.
Most notably, the network came under fire when presenter Guto Harri took the knee live on air in solidarity with the England football team, after Black players including Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho received disgusting racist abuse online.
Issuing a statement afterwards, GB News said it ‘does not have a company line on taking the knee’ but described Harri’s move as ‘an unacceptable breach of our standards’.
Andrew Neil recently defended the channel (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Nigel Farage was then recruited for the channel, with the former UKIP leader saying: ‘I will not be taking the knee on this show’ in his announcement.
After the politician’s hiring, it was revealed that Harri had quit the channel, asking in his resignation letter of Farage’s statement: ‘Please explain how that does not breach editorial standards but I did.’
The presenting shake-up comes after viewership on the channel has plummeted, and amid the reported departure of the director of programming, John McAndrew.
More: GB News
Despite the rocky beginnings for the channel, chairman Andrew Neil described it as having a ‘great future’.
‘Start ups are fraught and fractious,’ he said in a tweet. ‘@GBNEWS is no exception.
‘But the news channel is finding its feet and has a great future. Watch this space.’
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MORE : GB News: Nigel Farage shades presenter for taking the knee in impassioned debut speech
