Danny Baker quits his breakfast show live on air

Danny Baker announced live on air yesterday that he was quitting his BBC London breakfast show, just hours after being crowned DJ of the year.

Danny Baker announced live on air yesterday that he was quitting his BBC London breakfast show, just hours after being crowned DJ of the year.

The ebullient presenter is taking what the station described as "an extended summer holiday" after three years on the show, during which he will work on a film script for channel Five.

He told listeners: "We will reform and come back in another shape one day. People thought we were crying wolf ... we were just crying. We've been saying it for a while now. We've been doing it for three years. We're packing up the tree house at the end of the month."

Baker's departure may have come as news to his listeners, but his bosses have known for two months.

His agent said: "It was rather a dramatic thing to do. The station has known for about eight weeks. Danny, in his own inimitable style, decided it was time to do it. He has been commissioned to write a movie script for Five."

The 47-year-old will return to BBC London later in the year, but it is uncertain whether he will resume his morning duties. Baker's agent added: "Sometimes he loves getting up at four in the morning and other days it is not quite so."

On Monday night, Baker beat Christian O'Connell of Xfm and Radio 1's Zane Lowe to be named DJ of the year at the Sony Radio Academy Awards.

A spokesman for BBC London said: "We're delighted that Danny won the Sony Gold. He has ... decided to take an extended summer holiday, but he's definitely returning to 94.9FM."