She always represented the channel's best values - of being modern and accessible - and she delivers the news with great style and credibility

Kevin Lygo, Channel 5 programme director

Speaking about her decision to return to Channel 5, Young said: "After an exciting and challenging time at ITV, the offer to be part of the new team at Channel 5, at a time when news enters a whole new dynamic and competitive phase, is irresistible."

Young will join Channel 5 in the new year and her return will coincide with a new look for Channel 5 News.

She will present both the 1730 and 1930 bulletins on weekdays.

Relaxed

Channel 5 programme director Kevin Lygo has recruited several executives from his former employer Channel 4.

Lygo said of his latest recruit: "We're thrilled at the return of Kirsty Young.

"She always represented the channel's best values - of being modern and accessible - and she delivers the news with great style and credibility."

Kirsty Young is married to Nick Jones

Young's popularity as a newsreader on Channel 5 was sealed by her authoritative but relaxed approach, sitting on her desk rather than behind it.

In moving to ITV, Young took on the more traditional style of news presenting to front the Early Evening News and Lunchtime News.

But she was also able to increase her range by hosting a number of peak-time factual programmes for the network.

Home

Scottish-born Young is married to nightclub owner Nick Jones.

They met in 1998 at Babington House, the hotel he owns in Somerset.

She started off her career in the media as a radio presenter for BBC Radio Scotland before moving to Scottish Television, where she presented her own chat show.

She clinched the coveted role of main news presenter for Channel 5 before moving to ITV.