Christine Bleakley heading to ITV

Mr.Nice Guy

Another blow for the BBC. Now they have lost two of their most recognisable presenters.

BBC television presenter Christine Bleakley will leave The One Show to join ITV and her former co-host Adrian Chiles, ITV has announced.

She has agreed a three-year deal to present a breakfast show with Chiles and prime time entertainment shows.

The announcement came after the BBC said it had withdrawn an offer for Bleakley to stay, saying she had been "unable to make a decision".

Chiles left The One Show in April over changes to the show's format.

At the time he said he was disappointed that the BBC had added BBC Radio 2's Chris Evans to the presenting team on Fridays, replacing Chiles.

Chiles is now fronting ITV's football coverage and is due to begin hosting a revamped breakfast show, in place of GMTV.

Announcing her move on Sunday after three years on The One Show, Bleakley said: "It is with regret that this experience is coming to an end.

"I have been torn between working with Adrian Chiles and remaining at the BBC. I fully understand the BBC had to move more swiftly than I could, and as a result they've managed to help make my mind up for me."

'Unique partnership'

ITV director of television, Peter Fincham, said he was "thrilled" at Bleakley's move.

"It's great that she'll be reunited with Adrian Chiles and their unique and brilliant partnership will be at the heart of our new-look breakfast show from this autumn.

"Christine will also become a familiar face to ITV peak-time audiences. We can't wait to get started."

Earlier, the BBC had said it was putting "the interests of The One Show audience first and the current uncertainty does not allow us to do that".

The BBC said it had been in discussions with Bleakley about her new contract ever since she told the corporation in April she wanted to be part of a relaunched The One Show following Chiles's departure.

"With that in mind we made a full and final offer to her several weeks ago and made it clear we would not be entering into a bidding war with other channels," the BBC said.

"Christine is still unable to make a decision and therefore we have regretfully withdrawn our offer as we have to put the interests of The One Show audience first and the current uncertainty does not allow us to do that," it added.

Bleakley had explained in an unusual move last week that she was trying to decide whether to accept offers from the BBC or ITV, making it clear she could rejoin Chiles if she chose to.

Celebrities do not normally say anything about contract negotiations until a deal is signed.

'Brilliant relationship'

At the time, she said of her and Chiles: "We have a brilliant relationship on and off screen, although I can't say I'd particularly relish the idea of dealing with him at 5am every morning.

"On the other hand the BBC is incredibly good to me and I'm very close to everyone on The One Show, which I love presenting. The BBC's plans for The One Show are very exciting."

MPs got involved when it was reported that the BBC had offered her a £900,000 contract over two years.

John Whittingdale, chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, told The Sun: "This is public money. If she feels she can go and earn vast sums in the private sector, then good luck to her."

Bleakley recently signed a new management deal which means she is now represented by the same company as Chiles.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10361533.stm

I think this could be very good for ITV. Never liked ITV's breakfast hosts before but I think these two will be a big improvement. Serves the BBC right for messing about with Chiles in the first place.

themont85

Typical ITV, how many 'home grown' presenters do they establish? They seem to be the worst between Sky, the BBC, Channel 4 and Five at just poaching other talent and overpaying for it. Whilst it generally works for them they lack imagination tbh. Their 'prime time' shows will probably involve a celebrity challenge of some sort. Will be good for their Breakfast show though I guess, depends how much they payed.

I don't really think its a blow for the Beeb either if I'm honest. The BBC have long been outbid for their talent but they always come back with a new face. Losing Ross is negated by finally being able to use Norton. They'll have someone for here.

ejmaztec

themont85 wrote: »

Losing Ross is negated by finally being able to use Norton.

Much as I dislike Ross, he has a lot more appeal than giggling Norton, and can't imagine why the Beeb employed him in the first place. The only time that he was ever entertaining was when he was in Father Ted, and that was probably because he didn't write his own lines.

The Beeb has taken such a pumelling over one thing or another, I think they've now lost the plot and are completely paranoid.

paddyismaddy

what the hell is so special about her

ejmaztec

paddyismaddy wrote: »

what the hell is so special about her

Diddly squat, but the TV talent-spotters move in mysterious ways.

Minstrel27

I had no idea about who she was until yesterday. I am sure that the BBC will cope is all she has to bring to the table is the talents displayed on The One Show

Pittens

I had no idea about who she was until yesterday. I am sure that the BBC will cope is all she has to bring to the table is the talents displayed on The One Show

You judged her talents on one day? Give her a chance mate.

I do believe however that she and Chiles should get a room.

Minstrel27

Pittens wrote: »

You judged her talents on one day? Give her a chance mate.

Nowhere did I suggest that. I have seen her many times on The One Show but I only yesterday learned of her name. Expect her to appear on some programme like Loose Women.

ejmaztec

Pittens wrote: »

I do believe however that she and Chiles should get a room.

I think that's what Chiles thinks, but unfortunately for him, she seems to prefer football players to football pundits.:pac:

JP Liz V1

Minstrel27 wrote: »

I had no idea about who she was until yesterday. I am sure that the BBC will cope is all she has to bring to the table is the talents displayed on The One Show

She is a WAG she is with Frank Lampard

She didnt get the job as presenter of Xtra Factor

Minstrel27

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

She is a WAG she is with Frank Lampard

OMG. She is amazing.

rednik

Reminds me of Davina McCall.

Richard Dower

^ another wannabe "presenter" pumped up by tabloid hype....i'll be she's done some previous "modelling" work as well.