Thank you rutankrd, point taken on which routes, though it is surprising given the amount of analysis on the lack of connectivity between LHR and the domestic points that they couldn't get them reassigned to other UK airports, e.g. Teesside, Newquay etc.
flybe in recent years have in my view acquired a reputation for using the patented
"airliners.net magic dartboard of route planning"
Virgin Atlantic could not make these larger routes work in a JV with Delta Airlines, one of the largest and strongest airlines on Earth. Quite how flybe think they can balance the books operating point to point into a very busy and congested airport where they have no presence is beyond me.
if BE were to have a go at the "lesser" i.e. more fragile and less profitable markets like say a small town in Cornwall or a dying airport that's not quite near Durham I have no idea. Their foray into LCY saw as many routes fail as succeed.