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Updates from Friday 21 April 2017
Communist candidate Graham Stevenson has, arguably, the first soundbite of the evening (although everyone's given it a go).
It's fair to say he's not 100% behind the idea of a mayor, even saying that if you want a job doing properly, get someone who doesn't want to do it.
But wait.... that's still not the soundbite.
Mr Stevenson says a "metro mayor" is "an extra layer of government; an extra layer of fog".
Green candidate James Burn says despite the fact people in Birmingham and Coventry in 2012 "voted against a mayor", a "mayor can work". But, he says, the role needs more accountability, scrutiny and honesty.
Liberal Democrat Beverley Nielsen says the role is about fighting cuts handed down at national level. She also says she'd take the full £79,000 wage - a fitting sum, she says, if the position is to be taken seriously.
Conservative candidate Andy Street says the region "categorically" needs a "metro mayor".
He says one of the reasons the region has done "relatively poorly over the last 40 years is that we've not had anybody championing" it.
"For the first time we will have an individual responsible for that."
The first to answer is Labour candidate Sion Simon who says the most important thing is that "we run our own region".
He says the mayor is about "taking back control, real control, real power from the London government that has let us down in the West Midlands".
UKIP candidate Peter Durnell doesn't follow up on Mr Simon's them-and-us vision. Instead, he expresses doubts about the viability of the set-up and how it will pay for itself. It's in keeping with host Patrick Burns' assessment that there has not been much evidence of a "great appetite" among the electorate for this kind of mayor.
Mr Durnell says he's running to "take control" of the costs of the Combined Authority. He also says he'll come cheap, taking a £30,000 salary out of the proposed £79,000.
And there's no messing around, we're straight into the first question and it's taken on a rather existential tone - Why do we need a mayor?
Graham Slater, the audience member who's asked the question, wants to know whether the role is "just another expensive level of bureaucracy".
Patrick Burns, Midlands political editor, is your host for the special TV debate.
He will introduce you to six candidates.
Clockwise from top left they are: James Burn (Green); Beverley Nielsen (Liberal Democrat); Graham Stevenson (Communist); Andy Street (Conservative); Sion Simon (Labour); and Peter Durnell (UKIP).
Image source, Birmingham City Council
Image source, Birmingham City CouncilGood evening and welcome to our live online coverage of BBC One's debate: A mayor for the West Midlands.
Just seven weeks from a snap general election, and post-EU ref, elections seem to be the context in which we exist at the moment.
This one, though, is a little different. For a start, the 4 May vote is for a brand new position for a burgeoning type of local government in the region.
In tonight's programme, six candidates will outline their vision for "metro mayor" - the person to take charge of the new West Midlands Combined Authority.
Before the debate starts, we'll bring you up to speed on just what all that means - and there'll be a video explainer during the debate too.
Listen to live BBC Radio Northampton commentary as Northants face Warwickshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup.
Read MoreOffences include the rape of a teenage boy and the making of indecent photos.
Read MoreThat's all from us on Thursday. Join us again from 08:00 on Friday for more news, sport, travel and weather.
Any breaking news will be posted here in the meantime so keep an eye out for more updates.
Mary Rhodes
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today
A jury has been sent out to consider verdicts in the trial of a breast surgeon accused of carrying out "completely unnecessary" operations, at hospitals in the West Midlands.
We report on the suspension from his post of Gerard Coyne, who is challenging Len McCluskey to lead Unite, and is the union's West Midlands regional secretary.
We reveal the winners of awards to honour bravery and compassion in Birmingham and look forward to a debate between the six candidates to be West Midlands mayor.
Join us for the Midlands Today on BBC One from 18:30.
Patrick Burns
Political editor, Midlands
All the candidates competing to be the first mayor of the West Midlands will take part in a special debate tonight.
Watch the action from 22:45 BST on BBC One West Midlands. We will have dedicated coverage online too.
Image source, Birmingham City Council
Image source, Birmingham City CouncilGerard Coyne is suspended as a Unite official - as counting is set to begin in leadership ballot.
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Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
Some cooler weather ahead - find out what the next few days have in store.
West Midlands weather
Relive text commentary as Huddersfield defeat Wolves, sealing the Terriers a Championship play-off place.
Read MoreWalsall's Joe Edwards says he is delighted with his best season in front of goal after bagging three this term so far.
Image source, Rex FeaturesThe defender's most recent effort came in the weekend win over Swindon.
BBC Midlands Today
BBC Midlands Today has moved into a temporary studio at the moment , externalas a brand new studio is prepared.
Here's a timelapse look at how work's going.
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Vanessa Pearce
BBC Local Live
The Conservative MP for Stratford-upon-Avon, Nadhim Zahawi says he'll be reporting a racist and abusive letter, addressed to him, to police.
In the correspondence, sent to his constituency office, the Iraqi-born politician is described as a "criminal", "offender" and "gangster", as well as a racial slur on his background.
The MP tweeted he'd be passing in on to the police for investigation.
BBC WM Sport
Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack's season is over after it has emerged he has undergone surgery to remove five cysts from his jaw.
Image source, Rex FeaturesThe Scot - who is on loan at Nottingham Forest and has not trained for three weeks - also has an Achilles heel injury.
He only joined Villa in the summer but was loaned out after falling out with manager Steve Bruce.
Family and friends of a popular Kingswinford geography teacher and sportswoman left wheelchair-bound by MS are rallying to raise £50,000 to help pay for potentially life-changing treatment in Mexico - here's today's front page, external.
Image source, Stourbridge NewsListen to live BBC Coventry and Warwickshire commentary as Warwickshire play Surrey in the County Championship Division One.
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