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May 23rd
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Edwards signs for BBC in 2012 - report

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According to one report from the F1 media on Monday, multi-platform motorsport commentator Ben Edwards will head up the BBC's new-look Formula One commentary team for 2012, alongside co-commentator David Coulthard.

The BBC has been forced into a wholesale recruitment process for their partially-live F1 coverage in 2012, after both of their lead commentators were poached to front F1 on Sky Sports.

Both Martin Brundle and radio commentator David Croft will move to Sky for 2012, to head up their new dedicated F1 channel.

But according to a report from the gpupdate.net website on Monday, the BBC has signed up Edwards to replace Brundle as lead commentator on their TV coverage.

Although the BBC has not confirmed the report, Edwards has been at the forefront of rumours surrounding the position for several days.

Edwards currently commentates on a range of motorsport, including ITV's live coverage of the British Touring Car Championship.

He also covers the GT1 World Championship, and had previously worked for Sky Sports on their coverage of the A1GP championship.

Edwards has F1 commentary experience, both on Eurosport's coverage in the 1990s and on the UK feed of Bernie Ecclestone's ill-fated F1 Digital service in 2002.

His name has been touted as a replacement for Brundle in recent weeks, along with former F1 commentators James Allen and Jonathan Legard.

Legard's name is believed to still be in the frame for the vacant position on BBC radio's coverage of the 2012 season.

He commentated on the BBC's TV coverage in 2009 and 2010, and recently confirmed that he was looking at "various options" for 2012 on his Twitter feed.

"Various options under discussion," he told one follower last week, "Sorry no more to say."

Should the Edwards move be confirmed, he would partner 2011 summariser David Coulthard in the BBC's commentary box.

The Beeb will show ten live races in 2012, with the remainder of the races shown in extended highlights packages.