By Holly Thomas


Natasha Kaplinsky set to replace Christine as new host

ITV's Daybreak has been a ratings disaster from day one, at first barely matching GMTV's audience, and finally flatlining at 700,000 viewers.

And in yet another embarrassing turn, presenters Christine Bleakley and Adrian Chiles will be dismissed a month early in a desperate bid to salvage any remaining hope for the programme.

But it's not all bad news for Christine, 32, as she will receive a generous payout of £283,000 to help soften the blow of her departure.

Something to tie her over: Christine Bleakley may be leaving ITV's Daybreak a month earlier than planned, but a payment of £283,000 should help soften the bow


It is believed that Natasha Kaplinsky and Eamonn Holmes will take up the vacant presenting roles.

Christine and Adrian were expected to continue on Daybreak until Christmas or the New Year, but they will instead bow out on Monday and take the rest of the month off.

'It was felt that Adrian and Christine were better off out of there now that everyone knows they are going,' said an ITV insider.

'There’s nothing to be gained by keeping them on the sofa.'

Fresh face: Natasha Kaplinsky is said to be replacing Christine alongside Eamonn Holmes


ITV boss Peter Fincham stressed that the pair had been 'superb' presenters when he announced their departure last week.

Christine will be given her £283,000 by way of divided payment.

She and Adrian were poached from the BBC's The One Show in a deal worth a reported £4 million to her and £6 million to him, but are leaving after only 14 months.

It will be seen as a huge embarrassment for all concerned after the pair left BBC1's One Show in the summer of last year in what was seen at the time to be a huge coup for ITV.

Embarrassing: Christine and Adrian Chiles were expected to continue on Daybreak until Christmas or the New Year, but they will instead bow out on Monday and take the rest of the month off


The pair had won plaudits for their on-screen chemistry on The One Show and it was hoped they would recreate the magic in their new roles.

But within weeks of the Daybreak launch it was barely able to match GMTV's audience, and drawing only half that of rival BBC Breakfast.

It averaged 800,000 viewers in the past three weeks.

Fincham said: 'Adrian and Christine are both superb presenters.

'They have worked tirelessly to help establish Daybreak on ITV1 and they leave the show at a point when ratings have recently seen their biggest year-on-year increase.

The One Show which worked: The pair had greater success on their last joint presenting job for the BBC


'Adrian has had a hugely positive reception as the host of ITV's live football coverage since he joined us for the 2010 World Cup and I'm pleased that he will be at the helm of the UK's biggest free-to-air football offering, and will continue to present his successful That Sunday Night Show.'

Christine has been announced as the new co-presenter of Dancing on Ice alongside Phillip Schofield.

Her earnings have been boosted as she has been able to charge up to £15,000 per appearance for motivational speaking at business conferences.



source:dailymail