Speculation over the identity of a star presenter described in a most unflattering manner by Michael Buerk filled newsrooms as a row over “overpaid” Autocue automatons escalated.

Buerk backed Andrew Marr, the BBC’s outgoing Political Editor, who complained that newsreaders were paid far too much money for simply reading an Autocue.

The BBC slapped down Marr yesterday, reminding him that the likes of Huw Edwards and Fiona Bruce, said to earn £400,000 a year, were trained journalists who crafted their own scripts.

Buerk, the veteran news-reader who departed from the Ten O’Clock News two years ago, questioned the journalistic credentials of the new breed of newscasters. “There are some real lame brains doing it,” he said.

He referred to one newsreader, whom he did not name, as a “complete dumbo, this guy”. The presenter would be more concerned about having his make-up done or his nasal hair trimmed than preparing himself for the bulletin, he added.

Buerk, whose 1984 reports from the Ethiopian famine inspired Bob Geldof to create Band Aid, called for a return to the days when newsreaders had to be experienced journalists who would play a full part in writing headlines and introductions to the stories they presented.

He summed up the modern newsreaders’ craft: “It is the only job that actually requires no talent at all. If you can read out loud you can do it.”

Buerk backed Marr (£150,000 a year plus book deals) who said: “Newsreaders, they really do come and go. I must say I have never quite understood why they are paid so much, why reading an Autocue, however adeptly, earns you quite as much money.”

John Humphrys (£150,000) weighed in, saying newsreading required “no brain”.

The newsreaders hit back. Krishnan Guru-Murthy, the Channel 4 News presenter, told The Times: “There is a bit more showbiz in news-presenting now and the crusties don’t always like it. But at Channel 4 the presenters make journalistic decisions and conduct interviews on air.”

Guru-Murthy, tipped for Sir Trevor McDonald’s £800,000- a-year position at ITV News, added: “It might not be rocket science reading the news but there are few people who can both engage a large audience and hold the bulletin together in a crisis when all hell breaks loose. There is a huge amount of snobbery in newsrooms between journalist newsreaders and Autocue readers.”

As the hunt for nasal- clippers began across studios, newsreaders brandished CVs packed with serious journalistic experience, and the BBC gave Marr and Humphrys a lesson in newsreading. A spokesman said: “The job may appear uncomplicated, but that’s down to the thorough professionalism of those involved. ”

As for excessive salaries, the BBC had to pay “market rates”. Kirsty Young, at Five, is believed to earn £500,000 and the BBC could not match an offer if ITV News poached one of its stars for Sir Trevor’s position as the highest-paid newsreader.

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Newsreaders: are they the voice of authority or highly trained, autocue-reading monkeys?

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