Ben Hunte, an award-winning journalist, will begin his role as the first LGBT correspondent for BBC News starting in the New Year.

This newly created role will report on the stories, issues and debates surrounding sexuality and gender and focus on providing insight and analysis on matters affecting the LGBT community in the UK.

Ben played a key part during the coverage of the BBC’s Gay Britannia season and presented his own series of LGBT-themed programmes on BBC Radio 4 and 4 Extra called The Ben Hunte Interviews. He interviewed a range of high profile guests including Paul O’Grady and Stephen K Amos. This year Ben also became the presenter of BBC What’s New?, the BBC’s first TV programme and digital service for children in Africa.

Ben Hunte says: “I’m delighted to be taking on this important new role for BBC News and I am looking forward to finding and telling stories from the LGBT community.” Read more via BBC