BBC bosses are fuming that The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades has become the latest star to be snapped up by rival Channel 5.
Blades, 51, who has fronted the hit BBC1 series since 2017, is making a three-part documentary about his tough upbringing in East London.
DIY SOS star Nick Knowles also announced in March he would be making two series for C5, while Pointless host Alexander Armstrong signed up for a three-part travel series.
Jeremy Vine took over from Matthew Wright on his morning show in 2018, while his BBC2 quiz Eggheads is also moving.
Last year Channel 5, run by Ben Frow, staged a successful reboot of the BBC drama All Creatures Great and Small.
One insider said: “Channel 5 is trying to become some sort of BBC Lite – they keep signing our presenters.
"They need to create a separate identity.”
Blades, who is making The Streets Where I Lived, said: “If someone like me, who grew up in Hackney with no training can front a hit BBC1 show, so can others.”
In the new Channel 5 series, called The Streets Where I lived, Jay will revisit the house where he grew up, as well as the area which he called home for so long.
Speaking about his new venture, Jay said: "I can’t wait to go back to my old neighbourhood and discover the history on its doorstep.
"The places I visit are the buildings, streets, and communities that made me the man I am today."
Do you enjoy reading about celebrities? Sign up for all the best celeb news from the Mirror here .
