Ross extends ITV deal for three more series
Ross has extended his deal with ITV for a further three series of his chat show.
The host took his show to ITV1 in September after many years on BBC1, following the end of his lucrative deal with the corporation.
The new deal – said to be worth just under £2m – will see three new ten-part series in 2012 and 2013, plus Christmas specials.
He was already committed to at least one further run of the Saturday night chat programme – and a festive edition – under his initial deal.
The first series pulled in an average of 4.1 million viewers with guests such as Lewis Hamilton and Lady Gaga.
Ross left the BBC in the wake of the furore over the Sachsgate scandal which led to him being suspended for three months for his part in the leaving of smutty phone messages for veteran actor Andrew Sachs during a radio show.
Ross said: “I am thrilled to be signing again for ITV. It’s like that stage in a relationship when you’ve been leaving a few clothes over every time you stay, and they finally give you a door key.”
Elaine Bedell, ITV’s director of entertainment and comedy, said: “Jonathan remains one of the biggest talents on UK television and his first series for us shows that our ITV audience has enthusiastically welcomed him back to our television screens, doing what he does best.”
Ross’s Christmas special this year will feature Hollywood star Tom Cruise.
