Natasha Kaplinsky joins ITV news

(Bang Showbiz)

Natasha Kaplinsky is joining ITV News in September.

The former BBC and Channel 5 anchor - who became the highest-paid newsreader in the UK when she was paid £1 million to leve the BBC for Five News in February 2003 - will front ITV's 'London Tonight' show in place of current star Nina Hossain while she is on maternity leave.

However, the role will also see her present a whole host of other programme's for the network. She said: "I am very much enjoying being part of ITV's line-up, and thrilled to be returning to my first love, news. This is an exciting chance to work with the talented team in the ITV newsroom."

Natasha - who has two children, Arlo, two, and Angelica, 15 months - will take up the role until Nina returns to her position as anchor in early 2012. Faye Nickolds, editor of 'ITV London Tonight', added: "Natasha has an impressive background presenting national and regional news programmes - including a short spell on 'ITV London Tonight'.

"We're very much looking forward to her joining the team until Nina's return early next year."