The Big Breakfast has been one of Channel 4's most distinctive and important programmes for nearly a decade

Tim Gardam, Channel 4

A recent relaunch with new presenters failed to win back viewers, and the last show will go out on 29 March 2002.

Contemporary

The bidding process was opened in June as dozens of production companies sought to fill the slot.

A shortlist of four was drawn up, including The Big Breakfast's Planet 24.

The new, as yet unnamed, show will feature topical entertainment stories, news, weather and sport, presented in a contemporary way.

Denise Van Outen has gone on to a stage career

BskyB is also celebrating after beating ITN to provide Channel 5's early-morning news.

Sky's Sunrise programme will replace the ITN News Channel during the morning, although ITN will continue to provide Channel 5's other news bulletins.

Princess Productions is behind such shows as Model Behaviour and Light Lunch.

The Big Breakfast was launched in 1992, aimed at a younger audience than its rivals.

New life

It set up the careers of its first presenters Chris Evans and Gaby Roslin, who enjoyed audiences of 1.5m.

But their departure sparked a slide in ratings as Sharron Davies and Rick Adams took over.

The introduction of Johnny Vaughan and Denise van Outen breathed new life into the format.

Van Outen quit to be replaced by Kelly Brook, who took criticism for her lack of experience, eventually bowing out to pave the way for Liza Tarbuck.

But when the popular Vaughan left, producers decided the time was right to refresh the show.

Kelly Brook struggled to repeat Denise van Outen's on-screen chemistry with Johnny Vaughan

However, the team were not a hit and Paul Tonkinson was quickly fired and his place taken by former Blue Peter presenter Richard Bacon.

Tim Gardam, Channel 4's director of programmes, said: "The Big Breakfast has been one of Channel 4's most distinctive and important programmes for nearly a decade.

"It represented a breakthrough for TV entertainment as a whole and created a style that has been widely imitated.

"It has also been one of the most successful breeding grounds for new talent, and I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard on the show over the past nine years."