GMTV's Penny Smith quits

After nearly 20 years on the breakfast sofa, the presenter...

17:59 04 March 2010

After almost 20 years presenting the show, Penny Smith has quit GMTV.

Show bosses at ITV confirmed the news, which comes amid plans to revamp the breakfast programme.

Speaking of her decision, Smith 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."

The 51-year-old will host a new opera show on BBC Radio 2 in June. She is also working on her third novel and is said to be in talks with ITV about other projects.

About her departure managing editor at GMTV, Neil Thompson, said: "Penny has been a welcoming and familiar face on Britain's breakfast screens for many years.

"She has become a hallmark of GMTV's presentation, not only on the sofa but also as a newsreader.

"She has done a fantastic job over the last 17 years and has made an enormous contribution to the success of the News Hour. She will be greatly missed by the team. We wish her all the very best for the future."

Smith thanked fans for their support on her Twitter page, writing: "Thanks to all you Twittery people for your lovely comments about the news that I'm going to have a lot of lie-ins. Let the partying commence."