Adrian Chiles returns to the BBC three years after defection to ITV

Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley after the final Daybreakshow. Despite a huge budget the programme failed to beat its BBC rival (Rex Features)

Adrian Chiles is returning to the BBC for the first time in three years after he quit the corporation for ITV.

The presenter, who had an ill-fated stint on ITV's breakfast show Daybreak and fronts its football coverage, will present Friday night Drive on Radio 5 live.

Chiles, who presented Wake up to Money on the BBC station when it was set up in 1994, said: "It's very exciting to be coming back to Radio 5 live. It was a privilege to have been there right at the beginning when it launched, and I1m thrilled to have been asked back. It1ll be great to tackle news, current affairs and business stuff, as well as sport. All the time I've been away from 5 live I've remained an avid fan and it'll be good to be part of it again."

Chiles, who took his One Show co-host Christine Bleakley with him when he went to ITV, admitted their time on Daybreak was "one of the biggest crocks of s***e anyone had seen in years" and viewers deserted the show in droves.

He will co-host Drive with Anna Foster with regular presenter Peter Allen continuing on the show from Monday to Thursday.

The BBC also announced Christian O1Connell, Jonathan Pearce and Matt Johnson will share presenting duties on 5 live's Fighting Talk show after former presenter Colin Murray left the station.

Its controller Jonathan Wall said: "It's great to be welcoming Adrian to the 5 live Drive team. He1s such a strong broadcaster and the perfect fit to present the show alongside Anna Foster on Fridays. I also can't wait to unleash the new look Fighting Talk, we've gathered a brilliant fresh squad of presenters."

PA