Matt Teale to present first show on ITV Meridian tonight

Matt Teale will present his first ITV News Meridian programme at 6pm tonight, alongside journalist Sangeeta Bhabra.

The 46-year-old was announced as the new face of ITV’s coverage in the south following the retirement of Fred Dinenage.

New ITV Meridian presenter Matt Teale

Matt has presented regional news services in the Midlands for the past ten years, having previously fronted national news on ITV as well as working for Sky News, Forces TV and other broadcasters.

He said: "It's an absolute pleasure to have joined the ITV News Meridian team and I can't wait to get started on air. The team has been incredibly welcoming and I'm really looking forward to presenting my first programme with Sangeeta.

“We have a similar sense of humour and I have a feeling we're going to have fun."

• READ MORE: Matt Teale announced as new main presenter for ITV Meridian

Matt has a history with ITV that goes back 25 years but says landing the Meridian role is the high point of his career so far.

"It's a little daunting following Fred who was so well known across the region, but it's also a huge privilege. He sent me a lovely message when I got the job, which was very kind of him.

“Over the years, I've done pretty much every job there is in a newsroom and although the way we consume news has changed immensely since I started, some things haven't changed.

“People are still interested in stories about the places and people they know, told in a warm and relatable way.”

Sangeeta Bhabra, who has been Meridian’s main presenter since 2009, said it had been “lovely” getting to know her fellow presenter.

She said: “It all feels very new and exciting as we begin our onscreen partnership, but we’ve already established we’ve a lot in common, apart from maybe cricket. Matt Is cricket mad.

“Matt and I both have the same hopes and aspirations for our programme - the day’s news presented with ITV Meridian’s characteristic warmth and a laugh when we need it.”