BBC Newsnight anchor Jeremy Paxman has said today that he will join newsreader Sian Williams in stripping off on air to uphold his principles.
Ms Williams, a comely 43 year-old who shares the BBC Breakfast News sofa with the lumbering Bill Turnbull, caused a sensation earlier this week when her lawyer revealed that if she wasn't allowed to claim for 'uniforms' in which to present the show she will appear naked. Viewing figures are reported to have quadrupled in anticipation of the sight of the petite but shapely Ms Williams in the buff.
'Paxo' today added his voice to the furore. "I am happy to reveal all - preferably during a heavyweight interview with Harriet Harman to make sure that I can't get embarassingly over-excited - and de-clothe live on my next show. I'm sure it would help me to give the Harperson a good stuffing, metaphorically speaking of course," he said. Viewing figures for Newsnight are not expected to rise in anticipation, a BBC spokesman revealed.
He also denied rumours that cameramen and technicians on the show shouted "get'em off darling" when Ms Williams turned up in the studio for work this morning.
Ms Williams - in a statement via her agent - teased: "I'm ready and willing. My bikini wax is fully up to date and I have been up all night doing exercises to make sure my lovely little boobs are perfectly pert, just in case. As a starter, I won't be wearing any knickers under my Chanel miniskirt on air today."
Fellow newsreader and notorious attention-seeker Susannah Reid is reportedly furious that Williams has stolen the limelight from her and is planning some kind of counter-move, possibly as part of the Hand Relief stunts that the BBC are planning once all the presenters have had their fill of Sport Relief.
