One of GMTV’s longest serving presenters Penny Smith is set to leave the show.
The Daily Mail reports that the announcement was made last night after speculation over the future direction of the ITV morning show with falling advertising revenues.
Smith’s co-host John Stapleton is set to take on a role as special correspondent on the show which is trying to create a more serious image in the light of competition from the BBC breakfast show.
51-year-old Smith who has worked on GMTV for 17 years is believed to be set to present a series for Radio 2 later this year.
Speaking after the announcement she said "It’s an ideal time for me to say goodbye to early mornings. Now that the format has changed I have taken the plunge and am moving on."
Smith and Stapleton hosted the show from 6am until 7am each morning but ITV now plans to have the same hosts from 6am until Lorraine Kelly’s slot after 9am.
Stapleton said: "I’m going back to doing what I love best – covering major national and international news stories, and, after 12 years of getting up at 3.45am, I’m looking forward to having at least a few lie-ins a week, when I’m not on duty."
It is unclear what rota the regular presenters - Kate Garraway, Andrew Castle, Ben Shephard, and Emma Crosby – will work.
