John Kettley quits the Met Office

The BBC weatherman John Kettley has resigned from the Meteorological Office after months of speculation about his future.

The BBC weatherman John Kettley has resigned from the Meteorological Office after months of speculation about his future.

However the veteran forecaster is unlikely to disappear from television screens as negotiations could lead to him taking a part-time presenting role, perhaps as a sports pundit.

The Met Office spokesman Colin Donnelly said the 48-year-old had resigned on Tuesday, after 30 years with the organisation.

"Negotiations were ongoing for a few weeks but at the end of the day, we weren't able to come to an agreement, so unfortunately we will be sorry to see John go," he said.

"But he is not leaving under a cloud - it is an amicable separation. As a matter of fact we are trying to get him to negotiate, maybe on a part-time basis.

"John has other things he wants to do with his career and you can understand that after 18 years of working shifts, what a bind it can become."

Mr Kettley had denied two recent reports that he was to quit, the first over a BBC demand that he should cut his hair instead of combing over a bald patch, and the second about being passed over for younger female presenters.

A BBC spokesman said: "John has been a very popular member of the weather team on BBC television and radio for many years.

"He has been a huge hit with viewers and we are still hoping he will not disappear from our TV screens."

Kettley is also understood to have been in negotiations with the BBC to continue some form of presenting work.

In the 1980s, he attained a cult status among students, and was even the subject of a popular record.

It has been suggested that the veteran weather forecaster and diehard cricket fan could find a niche as a sports pundit.