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BBC confirms new Film 2016 presenters

Presenters Zoe Ball, Ben Bailey Smith, Mariella Frostrup, Camilla Long, Paul Merton, Edith Bowman and Antonia Quirke (Credit: BBC)

Rather than replacing Winkleman, who presented the show for six years, the BBC has chosen a guest presenter to front each episode in the upcoming seven-part series. 

Zoe Ball will host the first episode, followed by rapper and comedian Ben Bailey Smith, Mariella Frostrup, The Times columnist Camilla Long, Paul Merton, Edith Bowman and radio presenter and journalist Antonia Quirke.

Danny Leigh will remain as the programme's resident critic and guest critics include Grace Dent, Peter Bradshaw, Kate Muir and Ellen E Jones.

Why film is a good fit for the BBC

Everyone knows that BBC drama is either near or at the top of its game. But what of BBC Films, the broadcaster's infinitely poorer and sometimes neglected cousin?

For the past six years, BBC Films has been led by Christine Langan, a one-time Granada script editor who went on to win acclaim within ITV and beyond.