MUMBAI: News broadcaster The BBC has announced that Stephen Sackur will be the new host of the current affairs show Hardtalk.

He replaces Tim Sebastian who decided to step down in order to concentrate on other projects for the BBC. Two years ago Sebastian had visited India on a promotional tour. Sebastian had presented Hardtalk since it began in March 1997.

Sackur takes over from 18 April 2005. He is currently based in Brussels, Belgium, as the BBC's Europe correspondent. He will move to BBC Television Centre in London.

Sackur says, "This is a huge challenge for me. I have spent the past 15 years as a foreign correspondent, representing the BBC abroad, and am very much aware of the massive pulling power of Hardtalk. I've met many world leaders, all of whom respect Hardtalk.

"I can think of no bigger programme to get involved with. I've had pretty much the best job in the BBC as a foreign correspondent, and the only way of topping it is through Hardtalk, putting tough questions to the people who shape our world."

Sebastian said, "It has been an enormous privilege to ask leading questions and to travel the world trying to get answers. We have left some bruised political egos in our wake, and some important feathers ruffled. I wish Stephen luck and I hope very much that viewers will give him their support."