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INSIDE VIEW: Journalist and presenter Andy Akinwolere

FORMER BLUE PETER presenter Andy Akinwolere will join and front BBC Inside Out West Midlands as reforms to boost diversity within the corporation is announced.

Nigerian-born Akinwolere, who started out in the BBC as a runner, will be on screens from September 1, when the new series of BBC Inside Out starts.

The 31-year-old, who presented BBC One’s Blue Peter for five years, described his new role as a "fantastic opportunity".

He said: "It's great to be working in and around a place I have lived and grown up in and asking the questions that the people of the West Midlands want answering.

"This is a different sort of show than I have been known for previously and I’m looking forward to the challenge enormously."

The appointment follows a series of reports in The Voice of BBC's black staff being unfairly targeted in cuts, and coincides with BBC Director General, Tony Hall’s admission that it needs to "do more" on diversity.

Hall, on Friday 20, revealed ambitious new plans to address the on and off-screen representation of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BME) community at the BBC.

Speaking to members of Creative Access at the BBC’s Elstree Studios, he announced a raft of measures including stretching targets and more apprenticeships and a new top level leadership development programme for BME talent.

He also revealed the appointment of a new Independent Diversity Advisory Group to ensure the BBC’s work remains relevant and effective.

Hall’s announcements follow the appointment of former T4 presenter June Sarpong to Newsnight.

He said: “The BBC gets much right on diversity, but the simple fact is that we need to do more. I am not content for the BBC to be merely good or above average.

"I want a new talent-led approach that will help set the pace in the media industry. I believe in this and want our record to be beyond reproach.”

He added: “That won’t be achieved overnight, but the package of measures I’ve put in place, alongside the support we’ll get from leading experts, will make a tangible difference. My aim is for the BBC to be the number one destination for talented people regardless of their background. It’s time for action.”