Stars miss out as BBC names anchors for merged news channel

Warning of possible ageism row as Jane Hill and Martine Croxall among those omitted from lineup

Some of the BBC News Channel’s most famous faces, including Jane Hill, Ben Brown and Martine Croxall, have been axed before the launch this spring of a channel that combines international and domestic news.

The trio have become familiar to UK viewers during times of political and economic turmoil and their departure could prompt a row about ageism, according to BBC insiders.