Red sofa news

The Telegraph has picked up on an interview in the BBC staff magazine Ariel with Breakfast tv editor Alison Ford, ruminating on the programme's move to Salford in 2012.

The question of the showbiz guests who populate the show's red sofas after 0830 each weekday is clearly a big one for her. "There are certain people who at the moment are more accessible and they won't be in the future – politicians, celebrities, opinion formers. Will we get Will Smith on the sofa in Salford ?  It would be naive of me to say 'Oh yes, it'll be fine.'  It won't be as easy as it is now."

On how many of her production staff will make the move, Alison's New Year message is this  "People haven't yet said they're definitely coming and I don't think many of them will for a while. The presenters are in the same position as the rest of the team".

My sources can help her out with a least one decision - Bill Turnbull, Eton, Edinburgh University and Strictly, will be staying in the Home Counties with wife Sesi, his bees and High Wycombe FC.  His three children will have more or less flown the coop in 2012, but Bill, who'll be 54 later this month, has made it plain to colleagues home stays where it is.