Jonathan Ross to move to ITV in 2011
ITV have announced that they've agreed a deal with Jonathan Ross. The star has signed up to present a new chat show on ITV1 in late 2011. The new series will be a co-production between ITV Studios and Ross' own production company, Hotsauce TV Limited.
Jonathan Ross said: "I am thrilled and excited that after a short break I will be rolling up my sleeves and creating a brand new show for ITV1. I have worked successfully with most of the key figures at the network in the past and cannot wait to get back on screen with a fast, funny, and unpredictable new talk show. I do have a little spare time at the beginning of 2011 though, so if England needs a temporary new manager I will consider the post seriously. Thank you."
ITV Director of Television Peter Fincham says: "From Hollywood stars through to British politicians, Jonathan Ross has interviewed them all and has long established himself as the preeminent chat show host of his generation. ITV1 has established itself as a home for the UK's top television stars, and I'm delighted that the channel will now be working with Jonathan on this exciting new show."
Ross' controversial £6m-a-year BBC contract comes to an end this month. The presenter has previously announced that he is now planning to take a 'gap year', but will continue to appear in various one-off shows during this time, including presenting The British Comedy Awards for ITV, and appearing as a panellist on Channel 4's The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year in December.
His new ITV show will be 18 episodes long, and it is expected to be broadcast on either Friday or Saturday night from late 2011 and into 2012. According to MediaGuardian, ITV will pay Ross "somewhere short of £1m."
Jonathan Ross presents his final BBC shows next week. The 275th and final edition of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross will be shown on the 16th July, and Ross' final Radio 2 show will be broadcast the following day on the Saturday. The presenter's final programme for the BBC will be Pete And Dud: The Lost Sketches, a show looking at the legacy of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, which will be broadcast on Sunday 11th July.