The BBC is to boost its Saturday morning childrens' television by launching a spin-off Top of the Pops slot to be broadcast during The Saturday Show.

The move will see the show compete with ITV1's CD:UK chart programme, which is hosted by Cat Deeley.

Two new presenters have also been drafted in to give the Saturday Show a fresh look after current host Jo Mace did not renew his BBC contract.

CBBC presenter Fearne Cotton and newcomer Simon Grant will take over from Mace and Dani Behr, starting in the autumn.

The BBC has been trying to catch up with the success of ITV1's SM:tv Live show and its chart segment CD:UK since it lost its Saturday morning dominance to its rival.

Cotton and Grant are the new hosts

It axed ailing Live and Kicking to replace it with The Saturday Show - billed as a fresh and funky programme.

But this has largely failed to impact on the dominance of SM:tv Live despite the departure of its main hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donelly.

The launch of Top of the Pops On Saturday is expected to help boost ratings as it features new footage, interviews and live performances from some of the biggest chart acts.

Pre-teen audience

Chris Cowey, executive producer of TOTP, said: "The Saturday Show edition of Top Of The Pops is another natural extension to the current brand and it's an exciting opportunity to build on Top Of The Pops' successful reputation.

"In much the same way that TOTP2 caters for the adult audience and Top Of The Pops magazine caters for the pre-teen audience, this new edition will ensure the Top Of The Pops brand continues to offer the best pop music to a new audience of Saturday morning viewers."

Cat Deeley presents pop chart show CD:UK

New Saturday Show presenter Fearne Cotton, 20, will be no stranger to CBBC viewers who will have seen her hosting the digital channel's Sunday morning show Smile and factual programme Eureka TV.

She said: "Presenting Saturday mornings has been a dream for a long time. And one day in September I am going to wake up very early and it will be a reality. I can't wait."

For Simon Grant, 24, this will be his first job in television, having worked as a holiday rep for a number of years.

He said: "I grew up with Saturday morning television and now I am going to be one of the first faces that kids see when they turn their television on.

"That might be a daunting thought for some people but I can't wait to get started," he added.