BBC 'plans to stop Bleakley defection'

[dutchman]

BBC bosses are so desperate to keep Christine Bleakley that they have offered her a solo show, according to the Daily Mail.

The plan comes after Adrian Chiles quit the corporation over its decision to let Chris Evans host the Friday night edition of The One Show in his place.

Chiles, 43, has defected to ITV in a reported £6m deal which will see him present GMTV and sports programming.

A BBC source said: "There has been interest from ITV for Christine. Last year, she was approached for talks about This Morning, and now they are definitely keen on her. Christine has become a star here and there is no way we want her to go. There are various Saturday night shows that are being discussed."

The 31-year-old's two-year contract with The One Show comes to an end at the end of the year.