Chris Hollins has quit ‘Watchdog’.
The 45-year-old journalist, who quit his role as ‘BBC Breakfast’ sports reporter in 2012 after winning ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, has decided to leave the consumer rights show after six years in order to focus on other projects.
Chris, who joined the show in 2010, said: "I’ve had a great time working on this brilliant show for the last six years but it’s time to move on to other projects. I wish the new team the very best of luck."
And, although he’s departure has only just been announced, bosses of the programme have already found his replacement as they’ve pulled in BBC reporter Steph McGovern and BBC News’ correspondent Nikki Fox.
Nikki, 36 joined ‘BBC News’ in 2014 and has won a gong for Radio 5 Live programme ‘Learning to Walk Again’.
The blonde beauty – who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at birth and has used a wheelchair or scooter since her 20s – will become the first disabled presenter to be given a regular role on a BBC primetime programme.
Steph, 34, on the other hand, co-presented two-part series ‘Shop Well For Less?’ earlier this year with Alex Jones.
She said: "With ‘Watchdog’, we’re putting viewers at the heart of the programme. I want everyone to get in touch so we can use your consumer woes and wins to inform viewers of the best and worst products and services out there."
The two newbies will join long-term host Matt Allwright, plus Sophie Raworth and Michelle Ackerley, who were signed up last year following the departure of Anne Robinson who quit because she was fed up of companies sending inexperienced youngsters to "defend the indefensible."
‘Watchdog’, which spans three decades of broadcasting, is to be relaunched when it returns in the autumn.
Chris Hollins quits Watchdog
