Ross in talks with Channel 4

Chat show presenter Jonathan Ross has been in talks with Channel 4, it has emerged.

The outspoken entertainer announced he will leave the BBC after 13 years in July, and has yet to confirm where he will work next, although he has been in talks with the broadcaster with which he started his career.

Channel 4 head of programmes, Julian Bellamy, said he had already been in talks with the star about working together.

He said: “I'm a huge fan. I think he's a brilliant talent. He's a friend of the channel, he started at the channel. Certainly we are in touch, and let's see where it goes.

"It would be wrong for me to go into too much detail, but I would certainly say that we've been in touch.”

Jonathan appeared on Channel 4 over Christmas as a guest on ‘The Big Fat Quiz’, sitting with comedian Russell Brand – with whom he became engaged in a public furore over lewd phone calls made to veteran actor Andrew Sachs.

Jonathan was banned from the BBC without pay for 12 weeks for making the calls, while Russell quit.

Julian added: “We know Jonathan well, he did a great thing for us at Christmas, ‘The Big Fat Quiz’. So let's see what happens."

Jonathan started at Channel 4 in 1987 with programme ‘The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross’. After he has finished at the BBC, friends say he will take a break with his family before returning to TV.