Talking Telly: Jonathan Ross to jump to ITV

[picappgallerysingle id="6813615"]In a move that probably surprised absolutely, Jonathan Ross has inked a £1 million deal to host an 18-episode chatshow series that is said to be slated to air after The X Factor in late 2011.

The infamous Wossy, who is set to end his longtime BBC1 chatshow later this summer, fell out of favour with the BBC after he and fellow comedian Russell Brand left a lewd message on Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs’ answering machine during the taping of his Radio 2 show. His new deal will give him at least a year off, although his ITV deal leaves him free to present or make appearances on shows such as the Big Fat Quiz Show of the Year on Channel 4 and the 2010 British Comedy Awards.

“I am thrilled and excited that after a short break I will be rolling up my sleeves and creating a brand new show for ITV1,” Ross said to The Guardian. “I have worked successfully with most of the key figures at the network in the past and cannot wait to get back on screen with a fast, funny and unpredictable new talkshow.”

Considering that Wossy’s current talk show is far from unpredictable, it will be interesting to see if his ITV show makes many big changes. It could be said that he faces a challenge not unlike David Letterman when he jumped from NBC to CBS, because it’s unknown if he will be allowed to take some elements from “Friday Night With Jonathan Ross” with him (including Four Poofs and A Piano, his current sidekicks.) Also, it’s unlikely the new show will get a slot on BBC America unless a deal is made with ITV Studios and Ross’ Hot Sauce production company separately.

In the meantime, it’s rumoured that Ross and his old partner-in-crime Brand are pitching the idea of hosting a radio show on a US network, possibly XM/Sirus, where they could presumably call anyone they wanted and say that they had sex with their kinfolk and no one would bat an eye. Or, likely, particularly care.