Regional presenter Alex Jones to co-host revamped One Show

The One Show, a hit with viewers who don’t want a taste of Yorkshire soap, has announced its new presenter – Alex Jones joins the national show from a BBC region.

 New Team: Jason Manford and Alex Jones form the replacements for Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley on The One Show.

“I watch the show at home every night on my sofa and can’t believe I’m now swapping it for The One Show sofa. It is the break I have only ever dreamed of and can’t believe I’m getting to work with Jason Manford who I think is just fantastic – it truly is the icing on the cake.” – Alex Jones

ATV Today’s weekly telly news reviewer Mike Watkins, on the 9th July, suggested when speaking of former host Christine Bleakley that a regional face may be more worthy of her role at Daybreak:

“Christine is deemed “nothing special” and there are, they suggest, vastly better presenters working in local news such as Pam Royal and Carol Malia. Even recently ousted presenters from GMTV such as Penny Smith and Emma Crosby, in the view of some viewers, have a better presenting style, interviewing skill and chirpy personality required for the competitive morning slot.”

It seems the BBC have been looking to their regions for a mainly unknown face to co-host the magazine programme, which airs weeknights at 7pm, alongside comedian Jason Manford.

Daybreak is to launch to give GMTV viewers something more newsy to watch.

Manford takes over the male role from Adrian Chiles who quit for ITV when, it is believed, he was unhappy that The One Show would be hosted on Friday’s by DJ Chris Evans, ousting him from the final show of the week. Alex Jones and Jason Manford will host the show from August onwards. The show currently has guest presenters.

Adrian Chiles had presented The One Show from its pilot episode in 2006 until May this year. He had a string of female co-presenters including Myleene Klass. Bleakley left for ITV after the BBC withdrew an offer for a new contract to continue hosting the early evening series.

Both Chiles and Bleakley are to be the lead faces in ITV’s new breakfast show, Daybreak, which launches in September in an attempt to stem the declining ratings of current show, GMTV.

“Alex is warm, funny and very experienced despite being almost unknown outside Wales. It feels right for many reasons to be developing someone new at this time and I hope One Show viewers enjoy seeing her relationship with Jason develop on screen and take her to their heart.” – The One Show editor Sandy Smith

Ones Off: Adrian and Christine have said goodbye to a primetime slot for an early morning wake up.