Peston + Mair = PM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/mediamonkeyblog/2012/feb/29/peston-mair-pm

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It's the radio equivalent of Simon Cowell turning up on Strictly Come Dancing. The BBC's business editor <strong>Robert Peston</strong> co-hosted Wednesday's edition of Radio 4's PM with its regular presenter, <strong>Eddie Mair</strong>. Why so unlikely? Because the pair memorably clashed on the programme last year, a set-to which led Peston – in his own words – to be cast "out in the wilderness" for 10 months. Mair has been anticipating Peston's arrival all day on Twitter, pointing out that Pesto had missed the programme's 11am meeting. "Still no sign of Peston ... Now I'm really worried ... Peston has arrived!" And finally, after the headlines at the top of PM: "Peston off to a great start." Handily, with James Murdoch's resignation, he was the ideal man to talk about the day's top story. "Can I check are there other people on the programme or is it just you and me?" asked RP. "I know you have been making calls on this," said Mair of the Murdoch story. "Which is why we haven't got a shred of work out of you." As for Peston, he tweeted: "Eddie Mair and I are arguing about who should interview the BBC's political editor. I have elegantly surrendered." Probably for the best. The pair, Two Ronnies-style, shared the headlines at the top of the hour. But which one's Barker and which one's Corbett? Eleven minutes in and Peston garbled his first intro to a report. We're sure Mair was nothing less than entirely sympathetic. The big question – will Peston, no stranger to using 10 words when one will do – crash the pips? Answer: no, because he was called away prematurely for BBC1's Six O'Clock News. Maybe next time.