New ITV chat show for Ross

JONATHAN ROSS has signed a deal to present a chat show for ITV, it was announced yesterday.

The presenter – who leaves his BBC1 show next week when his contract runs out – is to begin his new series late next year.

He had been in negotiations with Channel 4 at one stage prior to new chief executive David Abraham taking over this summer.

The series will air in a peak-time slot on ITV1 after a year’s break for Ross.

The star had a spectacular fall from grace over the “Sachsgate” affair in which he left lewd messages – along with Russell Brand – on the answerphone of veteran actor Andrew Sachs.

Earlier this year Ross announced he would not be renewing his contract with the BBC, and his long-running Radio 2 show will come to an end this month.