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Julia Somerville joins Rip Off Britain team on BBC One Daytime this Autumn

BBC Press Office

8 January 2011

At a time when many across the UK face increased financial pressure, the series investigates and exposes some of the rip offs – both big and small – that are costing British consumers. The team is now asking members of the public who feel they've been the subject of unfair deals, sharp practice and rip offs to share their stories.
Julia Somerville says: "I'm delighted to be joining a programme that has made such a great connection with its viewers."
Liam Keelan, Controller of BBC Daytime, says: "Julia's career in broadcast journalism spanning three decades, makes her the ideal candidate to join our presenting line-up and I'm absolutely delighted to welcome her to the team. Her knowledge and experience will be invaluable. Rip Off Britain has fast become essential viewing for our Daytime viewers and I hope this third series will prove just as popular."
Julia Somerville steps into Jennie Bond's shoes as she steps down at the end of the second series.
Rip Off Britain (20 parts) is being made by BBC Current Affairs and the executive producers are Carla-Maria Lawson and Rob Unsworth. It is a BBC Vision production for BBC One Daytime and is due to transmit in the Autumn.
Rip Off Britain is currently looking for contributions from members of the public who feel they've been ripped off. Anyone wanting to get in touch with the team should contact:
Rip Off Britain, PO Box 4360, Manchester. M61 0DY
ripoffbritain@bbc.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Julia Somerville began her career in broadcasting when she joined the BBC in 1972 as a sub-editor in the Radio Newsroom. She became a chief-sub and then a reporter and was made Labour Affairs Correspondent in 1981. In 1984 she was recruited by BBC Television News to present the Nine O'clock News.
In 1987 Julia joined ITN. During the next 14 years she presented News At Ten, the Lunchtime News and launched the ITN News Channel. She left ITN in 2001.
She rejoined the BBC News presenting team in 2010. She is currently Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection.
LG