O’Grady Latest Chat Host To Leave ITV

Channel 4 has poached one of ITV’s highest profile stars, with Paul O’Grady switching sides to leave ITV management “ashen faced.”

O’Grady will front a daily show for Channel 4 for half the year beginning in spring, as well as taking on some peaktime work with the broadcaster. Richard and Judy will present a teatime show for the remaining half of the year after extending their existing Channel 4 contract.

The move by O’Grady will deliver a harsh blow to ITV, which had seen success with the Liverpudlian star’s daily 5pm chat show.

An uncredited source inside ITV told Broadcast magazine that ITV management had been left “shell-shocked” by the news this afternoon, likening the situation to “the attack on Pearl Harbour – they were never expecting this.”

However, Channel 4 has since pointed out that O’Grady’s contract with ITV expired at the end of 2005, and that his new contract with Channel 4 is not exclusive – only preventing him from continuing his ITV daytime show.

Kevin Lygo, Channel 4’s director of television, welcomed O’Grady’s signing, stating: “Paul is one of the warmest and wittiest presences on television and we’re absolutely thrilled to welcome him back to Channel 4. Richard and Judy have been tremendous performers for us at teatime, both in terms of ratings and reputation, and we’re delighted that they’ve committed to us for at least another year.”

The transfer follows a series of high profile defections from ITV, including those of chat show hosts Richard and Judy and Trisha Goddard (see ITV Talk-Show Stalwart Jumps Ship To Five).

ITV has more stars lined up to fill the void, however, with chat supremo Oprah Winfrey due to return to British screens this year, following a deal between CBS Paramount International Television and ITV (see ITV Signs Oprah Winfrey To Boost ITV2).

Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com