CHANNEL 4 SIGN UP MADELEY AND FINNIGAN

BRITISH television’s most popular and acclaimed presenter couple, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, have signed a two year deal with Channel 4 to front a new show.
Madeley and Finnigan, who have dominated daytime television as the hosts of 13 years of ITV flagship, ‘This Morning’, will join Channel 4 in the autumn after their contract with the shows producer, Granada Television, comes to an end.
The new Channel 4 series, ‘Richard and Judy’, is a live, topical entertainment show and will air five days a week.
The idea was brought to Channel 4 by Amanda Ross, Managing Director of Cactus TV, which will produce the series.
Madeley said: “Judy and I have enjoyed 13 wonderful years of ‘This Morning’ and we will be incredibly sad to say goodbye to all our colleagues at Granada and ITV. But with three consecutive National Television Awards under our belt and the ratings buoyant we are bowing out of ‘This Morning’ on a high.”
Tim Gardam, Channel 4’s Director of Programmes, said: “Channel 4 are committed to working with the best creative talent in every area of their business and Richard and Judy are unquestionably the best in their field. This deal represents a major investment for us in original British production and talent and will reinforce Channel 4’s market leader status in afternoon and early evening television.” (CD)