ITN staff have defended Tom Bradby after three colleagues demanded he be censured for saying 'there aren't many white, male anchors left' on television.

The ITV News anchor, 57, said the fact there was now a more diverse range of presenters made him less nervous about being the victim of change. 

His comments are said to have been met with 'fury' at the broadcaster, including among members of its ethnic minority network Empower.

But many have leapt to his defence, with one source insisting Mr Bradby had been asked a 'tricky question' and had always been 'incredibly supportive' of his colleagues. 

The presenter has a reputation as one of TV's 'nice guys' and is a friend of Harry and Meghan. He was interviewing the Duchess in South Africa when she remarked, 'Not many people have asked if I'm ok' - a moment that marked a key milestone on the path towards Megxit. 

In an interview with the Radio Times on Tuesday, Mr Bradby said he feels secure in his role as he prepares to front ITV's coverage of the general election. 

'There aren't many white, male anchors left, dare I say, so I feel a bit less nervous about that [job security] than possibly I should,' he said. 

'You just put your head down, do a good job and try to be as nice as you can to everyone around you. 

'As you get older, you think, ''Will I be remembered as somebody who was decent to work with?'' Because that's what you want to be remembered for. It's much easier to have that perspective when you're older.' 

In response to the comments, three journalists wrote to ITV's Empower network confirming they had contacted bosses to air their complaints.

'Many of you have been in touch with us over the recent Tom Bradby coverage. Given the strength of feeling, we have sent a note out today to Andrew Dagnell and Rachel Corp to highlight some of those concerns,' they said in an internal message seen by The Times.

'We explained that whilst there is enormous respect for Tom, his comments have had an adverse impact on members, given what they implied about diversity at ITN and within the industry, and given how they have been jumped on by some with a divisive culture war agenda.'

One female anchor challenged Mr Bradby's opinion, pointing out that figures such as Channel 5's Dan Walker and Channel 4's Matt Frei continue to hold prominent positions.

'Men have ruled the roost in broadcasting for aeons so he needs to pack away the world's tiniest violin.'

But an ITN source defended him, saying: 'Tom was asked a tricky question about his own position in the industry.

'He wasn't suggesting it's a worrying trend and he's always been incredibly supportive in the newsroom.'

Mr Bradby will front ITV's election night coverage, having previously anchored the votes in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

It has been previously revealed that the BBC's election night coverage will be fronted by Clive Myrie and Laura Kuenssberg.

Meanwhile Channel 4's coverage will be co-hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Emily Maitlis, while Kay Burley will anchor the coverage on Sky News.

Mr Bradby, an ITV veteran, previously served as the network's royal correspondent and, as a firm friend of Prince Harry, was invited to his wedding.

He's also served ITV in a series of other major roles, and in 1999 was shot while covering riots in Jakarta.

He was privately educated at £20,000-a-year Westbourne House School near Chichester, West Sussex, before attending Sherborne School in Dorset. 

He has been married to his jewellery designer wife Claudia since 1994 and they have three children, Jack, Louisa and Sam.

In a newspaper profile, he said his favourite drink is a Talisker whisky with ice, and he would choose Jerusalem and I Vow To Thee My Country as the hymns to be played at his funeral.

The journalist was signed off work for three months in 2018 after developing insomnia and what he describes as an addiction to the sleeping pill zopiclone.