ITV defector Bleakley will not return to One Show

CHRISTINE Bleakley will not return to The One Show when the programme comes back from its break next week, the BBC said yesterday.

The presenter is following in the footsteps of her former co-host Adrian Chiles by defecting to ITV. The BBC1 magazine show returns on Monday and will be hosted by guest presenters.

Chiles's replacement Jason Manford will begin presenting duties next month and will be joined by a yet-to-be-revealed "brand new female presenter".

The BBC thanked Bleakley and said it would like to "wish her well". Chiles and Bleakley will be reunited when GMTV bosses re-launch the ITV1 morning show.

The programme is soon to undergo a major revamp and rebrand which will see the GMTV name disappear.

The wave of GMTV presenters who are either set to leave or have already gone includes Emma Crosby, Andrew Castle, Ben Shephard and Penny Smith.

Chiles signed up with ITV after falling out with BBC bosses and he has also been leading ITV1's World Cup coverage.

Bleakley followed him after mulling over offers from both the BBC and ITV, which left her "torn". The BBC eventually tired of the delays and withdrew its offer.