Adrian Chiles signs to ITV

The BBC 'One Show' host has left the broadcaster for its rival...

14:28 19 April 2010

BBC 'The One Show' host Adrian Chiles has quit the show and channel, it has been announced.

Taking himself over to the rival broadcaster, the presenter has signed a four-year deal with ITV which sees him at the head of a collection of new programmes.

In his new broadcasting home, Chiles will host ITV's free to air football coverage, leading World Cup coverage in June (including EnglandÂ’s two peak time opening games).

From next season he will also be in the chair for the Champions League, EnglandÂ’s home internationals and away friendlies, as well as The FA Cup.

The deal will also see Chiles take a seat on the early morning 'GMTV' sofa five days a week later this year, as well as hosting a new factual entertainment series from 2011.

Chiles's decision to quit the channel came when it was confirmed Chris Evans would take his place as the new presenter on the Friday evening edition of the weekday magazine show.

Chiles said he was "absolutely delighted to be joining ITV" and was looking forward to again working with Peter Fincham, who he met at 'The One Show', and Niall Sloane who launched BBC's 'Match of the Day 2' with him.

"The chance to front ITVÂ’s football coverage and 'GMTV' would have proved an irresistible opportunity at the best of times," he said.

"But, 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."

He added that it was "no secret how disappointed" he was at the decision to alter The One Show's format.

Chiles said: "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... but can't wait to get started with new people on two major new challenges for me at ITV"

Of the new host, director at ITV Peter Fincham said in a statement: "Adrian is a brilliant presenter, journalist and a football fanatic – I'm very much looking forward to working with him again when he joins ITV.

"He has the rare talent of being able to make television presenting look effortless. He will be at home at ITV whether it is on our flagship breakfast programme or in the football studio."

A BBC spokesman said: "We would like to thank Adrian for his contributions to his programmes and we wish him well for the future."

Friday's new one-hour show will see Evans host alongside regular co-presenter Christine Bleakley.

Evans made his TV comeback last year, appearing as a guest on 'The One Show'.

Chiles will continue on 'The One Show' until the end of the month when his contract expires.

BBC Breakfast's Chris Hollins is expected to replace Chiles on Monday to Thursday slots.  

Chiles's move to 'GMTV' means that Eamonn Holmes – who the Daily Mail revealed ITV has been trialling with Kate Thornton on 'This Morning' to see if the pair could provide the perfect duo for 'GMTV's forthcoming overhaul – will not be transferring back to his old stamping ground.

Holmes left 'GMTV' in 2005 after 12 years on the sofa.

Chiles's departure also leaves a gap for the prime position as host of 'The Apprentice: You've Been Fired'.

His other presenting roles on the BBC include 'Apprentice' spin-off 'You've Been Fired' and 'Match of the Day 2'.