Jake Humphrey quits BBC

Jake Humphrey who presents Formula One on the BBC will be leaving the corporation at the end of the F1 season.

Formula One in Britain is now covered by two television stations in the UK. Pay channel Sky Sports screens all 20 Grand Prix weekends live, whilst from this season the BBC will show just 10 Grand Prix's live, with the other 10 shown via an extended highlights programme.

That move has seen a number of the original Formula One team leave the BBC. Martin Brundle, David Croft, Anthony Davidson, Ted Kravitz and Natalie Pinkham all moved over to Sky Sports presenting team, but the main three faces [Humphrey, David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan] of the BBC coverage had remained until now.

Due in part to that continuity the BBC's viewing figures have remained remarkable stable despite the loss of 50% of the live races. But losing their main presenter will be a big blow in the battle between BBC and Sky [although the advantage of being a terrestrial channel will always keep BBC ahead in the viewing figures battle].

Humphrey however has not also completed the switch to Sky, in fact he will continue to battle head-to-head with Sky Sports as he will become the face of BT Vision's Barclays Premier League football coverage.

'I am incredibly excited to be joining the team at BT not just because I get to fulfil a lifelong dream of presenting the Barclays Premier League but because of the fresh perspective that BT will bring to both sport and broadcasting in this country. To be a part of this young, vibrant team who are as passionate about sport, as I am, is a privilege. Humphrey said.

'I've grown up at the BBC, and whilst I hope to work with them in the future, I'd also like to place on record my thanks to them. I am incredibly grateful to all colleagues, and of course the viewers, for their incredible support from CBBC all the way to Formula 1. My focus from the start of 2013 is on making BT's coverage of football the best this country has ever seen.'