ITV want One Show host Christine Bleakley to join This Morning

chris

The BBC is battling to stop One Show host Christine Bleakley defecting to ITV.

The rival channel have lined up a six-figure deal to entice Christine, 29, to join This Morning.

It was in place just days after Fern Britton announced she was quitting following a rift with her co-presenter Phillip Schofield.

Belfast-born Christine has proved hugely popular hosting BBC1’s early evening magazine show with Adrian Chiles.

One TV insider said: “She can think on her feet and works well with Chiles, even though he’s a bit of a handful and she admitted to not liking him at first.

“She’s a great foil for an older male co-host because she’s pretty but smart, too.

“Christine also has warmth which makes other women like her – which is very important for a show like This Morning.”

But the BBC aren’t going to let Christine go without a fight. The source added: “Their argument is why would she go and do a daytime show when she is already on primetime BBC1?”

One reason could be the salary. Christine earns £100,000 a year while Fern was on £700,000.

ITV could double her salary and still make a huge saving.

If their audacious poaching bid fails, ITV will have to look at others on their “wish list”, including Natasha Kaplinsky, Kate Garraway and Fiona Phillips.

But the source added: “Christine is the number one choice.”


Source:mirror