Culture

Veteran French anchorman signs off with a kiss

by Rachel Nixon | July 10, 2008 at 04:48 pm

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French news anchor Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, one of the world's longest serving newsreaders, has broadcast his final news bulletin.

A household name on French TV, Poivre d'Arvor is affectionately known by his initials PPDA. His fame is such that his puppet alter ego hosts the satirical show Les Guignols de l'Info.

NowPublic member Johnny Summerton reported last month that PPDA was being replaced.

Mr Poivre d'Arvor has read the evening news on various French channels for more than 30 years.

Last month TF1 announced that the 60-year-old presenter would be replaced by a younger female anchor.

Correspondents have speculated that there may have been political pressure to remove Mr Poivre d'Arvor. TF1 has not commented on his replacement.

"Since I have not been able to avoid what is happening tonight, I send you all a kiss," Mr Poivre d'Arvor, widely known in France as PPDA, said at the end of his last news bulletin.