Gavin William James Esler is a Scottish journalist, television presenter and author. He was a main presenter on BBC Two's flagship political analysis programme, Newsnight, from January 2003 until January 2014, and presenter of BBC News at Five on the BBC News Channel. Since 2014 he has served as the Chancellor of the University of Kent. On 11 March 2017, Esler confirmed via his Twitter profile that he would be leaving the BBC at the end of the month to concentrate on his writing activities. He returned to the BBC later that year as host of Talking Books.
Esler in 2013
Left to right: Mark Kermode and Esler interview Tom Ford and Aaron Taylor-Johnson at the premiere of Nocturnal Animals
Newsnight is the BBC's news and current affairs programme, providing in-depth investigation and analysis of the stories behind the day's headlines. The programme is broadcast on weekdays at 22:30 on BBC Two and the UK feed of BBC News channel; it is also available on BBC iPlayer.
Jeremy Paxman in February 2014
Image: Kirsty wark podium
Image: Victoria derbyshire head
Image: Faisal Islam, 2016 Labour Party Conference