The BBC is the perfect home for Johnny and we are delighted to have him here

Alan Yentob, BBC

The contract was announced at the Montreux television festival by Alan Yentob, BBC director of drama, entertainment and children's television.

But Vaughan's defection will not be followed by Channel 4's outrageous entertainer Graham Norton, who revealed he had rejected a BBC deal which some reports put as high as �6m.

It is no secret that we have been talking to Graham Norton

BBC spokesman

Vaughan's deal will give him the freedom to work in a variety of areas.

"I am very, very excited about the deal, as the BBC is giving me the chance to write, develop and perform in a whole range of TV projects," said Vaughan in Montreux.

A BBC statement said the contract gave Vaughan "enormous scope to use his versatile talents in all aspects of television entertainment."

Comedy drama

Vaughan has already co-written a six-part comedy drama for BBC Two called 'Orrible which began filming earlier this month.

The BBC deal will allow Vaughan to present, act and write

The star plays Paul Clark, a part-time minicab driver who feels he is destined for greatness.

Alan Yentob said: "We've always coveted Johnny at the BBC. He's rapidly established himself as one of the smartest and most creative talents in television entertainment.

"He's not only brilliant as a TV presenter, but as 'Orrible demonstrates, he's also immensely gifted as a writer and actor.

"The BBC is the perfect home for Johnny and we are delighted to have him here."

Vaughan left Channel 4's Big Breakfast show along with co-presenter Denise Van Outen in January.

When he joined the show in September 1997, no-one had managed to successfully fill the void left by original presenter Chris Evans.

But he quickly established himself as a firm favourite with his quick wit and laid-back approach.

No Graham Norton

Graham Norton is staying with C4 until 2004

Graham Norton, who fronts the cult Channel 4 show So Graham Norton, announced at Montreux that he had agreed a two-year extension with Channel 4.

He is reported a describing the BBC's plans as "too vague".

The BBC confirmed that it had been pursuing Norton but refused to reveal the size of the deal on offer.

"The BBC is always talking to the top talent in the industry and it is no secret that we have been talking to Graham Norton," a spokesman said.

"He is incredibly talented and any broadcaster would be lucky to have him."

Norton teamed up with the Duchess of York on BBC One's Red Nose Day in March.

In the same month he won a Television and Radio Industries Club award for TV personality of the year.