Hampstead Garden Suburb star Jonathan Ross quits BBC

Jonathan Ross has announced his decision to leave the BBC this morning (Thursday January 7).

The Hampstead Garden Suburb resident, who has worked for the corporation for 13 years, today released a statement saying he will not be renegotiating his �16.9 million contract when it ends in July.

He said: "Although I have had a wonderful time working for the BBC, and am very proud of the shows I have made while there, over the last two weeks I have decided not to re-negotiate when my current contract comes to an end.

"While there I have worked with some of the nicest and most talented people in the industry and had the opportunity to interview some of the biggest stars in the world, and am grateful to the BBC for such a marvellous experience.

"I would like to make it perfectly clear that no negotiations ever took place and that my decision is not financially motivated. I signed my current contract with the BBC having turned down more lucrative offers from other channels because it was where I wanted to be and - as I have said before - would happily have stayed there for any fee they cared to offer, but there were other considerations."

The decision will bring Friday Night with Jonathan Ross to an end, his Saturday morning radio show and his role as presenter of the BBC film show he took over from Barry Norman.

He added: "I look forward to continuing work on these shows until the Summer, and I will continue hosting the Bafta Film Awards, Comic Relief and other BBC specials.

"Working at the BBC has been a tremendous privilege, and I would like to thank everyone who has watched and listened so loyally over the last 13 years."

On twitter the presenter wrote "My day is turning out to be far more interesting then I had anticipated."

By Dina Rickman editorial@hamhigh.co.uk