Adrian Chiles is quitting BBC One’s early evening magazine programme, The One Show, for a new four-year deal with ITV.
The presenter – who was said to be unhappy at Chris Evans being drafted in to host the Friday night edition of his early evening show – will front GMTV and present ITV football coverage.
And he blasted the decision to tinker with The One Show: “I would have been happy to stay at the BBC doing the same shows on the same terms, especially The One Show, of which I am so proud, having worked on it since the first pilots four years ago.
“It’s no secret how disappointed I was by the controller’s decision to change an apparently successful and well-loved show at this stage, but fully respect her right to do so.”
His new deal is an exclusive contract and means he will lead ITV’s World Cup coverage in June. He will present GMTV five mornings a week from later this year and will also host a new factual entertainment series from next year.
Chiles still has a month to run on his present BBC contract and it is understood he was offered a new deal two months ago to continue presenting The One Show, Match Of The Day 2 and The Apprentice: You’re Fired! It would have also included a chat show.
He said: “Coming as it did at an awkward period for me at the BBC, it made the decision to leave not quite as hard as it might have been.”
A BBC spokesman said: “We would like to thank Adrian for his contributions to his programmes and we wish him well for the future.”
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
