ITV Talk-Show Stalwart Jumps Ship To Five

ITV’s talk-show stalwart, Trisha Goddard, is leaving the network after more than six years at the centre of its daytime schedule to join rival commercial broadcaster, Five.

Goddard, who has had her own show on ITV since 1998, has agreed a two-year deal with Five that will see her join the channel in early 2005 to front a new morning weekday series, as well as a number of bigger primetime projects.

Trisha is one of ITV’s best performing daytime series, consistently attracting more than a million viewers and a 30% share of the available audience in its 9.25 am slot. However, reports suggest the show was about to be axed by ITV bosses after a series of rows over money and editorial control.

Dan Chambers, Five’s director of programmes, said: “I’m delighted we’ve persuaded one of the biggest stars of British television to join Five. It’s a sign of the strides the channel has made that we have been able to convince someone of Trisha’s calibre that Five will be a great home for her.”

Goddard added: “I feel the need to refresh and reinvigorate my television career and I’ve been really impressed by the energy and enthusiasm evident in Five’s approach. Naturally it’s a great buzz to know that Five is happy to support me in doing what I love doing best: letting people tell their stories their own way.”

The move will come a something of a blow to ITV, which has been working to strengthen its schedules in the face of increasing competition from the multi-channel sector. However, Ofcom yesterday announced plans to ease some the broadcaster’s public service obligations in a move that will clear the way for it to concentrate on more revenue-generating commercial programming (see ITV Welcomes Ofcom’s Public Service Proposals).

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com

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