Richard and Judy in shock defection

Jessica Hodgson
guardian.co.uk, Friday May 4 2001 14.12 BST

Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan

Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, the king and queen of daytime television, have sensationally quit ITV after a run of almost 13 years.

They have shocked bosses at ITV by announcing they are to present a new evening show on Channel 4.

The married couple, who have come to epitomise daytime TV, have become part of the ITV furniture over the past decade with a cult following among housewives and students alike for their This Morning show.

It is understood they told virtually no one at ITV or Granada of their decision until recently.

In a statement, Madeley said: "Judy and I have enjoyed 13 wonderful series of This Morning and we will be incredibly sad to say goodbye to all our colleagues at Granada and ITV."

Finnigan denied there had been a "tug of war" for the couple.

She added: "We have just decided that we want to try something different and Channel 4 represents a brilliant opportunity to explore a new direction."

The show, with its mix of lifestyle hints, sofa chat and therapy, has become cult viewing and Madeley and Finnigan have been daily tabloid fodder for years.

And audiences seem to love them all the more for their numerous gaffes.

Last year Finnigan made the front page of all the national newspapers when she revealed her ample bosom to the world's media at the National Television Awards.

Last month Madeley was forced to issue an on-air apology after claiming that Roobarb and Custard creator Bob Godfrey "had to be on drugs".

Their popularity has made them a constant subject of attention - the highest point of their tabloid career was the revelation that Madeley had been arrested for shoplifting wine from a supermarket.

Their fanbase runs to millions and they have recently been paid the ultimate accolade with an impersonation by the BBC's Alistair McGowan.

And there have been repeated questions about Judy's health.

Channel 4's raid has caught everybody by surprise because Madeley and Finnigan, who have long been associated with the daytime heartlands of ITV.

But Channel 4 has tended to stray from such mass fodder.

The Channel 4 director of programmes, Tim Gardam, said the deal "will reinforce Channel 4's market leader status in afternoon and early evening television".