Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Plus top names to provide holiday cover over summer - Gloria Hunniford, Gethin Jones, John Sergeant and Myleene Klass are welcomed as stand-in presenters

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One today announces that The One Show is set to be extended.

After successfully trialling a 60-minute format of the show in May, the series, which usually runs at 30 minutes, will include an hour-long show every week from September to the end of the year.

The 60-minute shows will include a raft of new features, celebrating lives, landscapes and stories from all around the UK.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One also announces today that The One Show's presenters, Christine Bleakley and Adrian Chiles, will be taking a well-deserved fortnight's holiday in August.

The channel is delighted to be welcoming some of the country's most popular presenters to stand in during their absence.

Gloria Hunniford and Gethin Jones take the helm from Monday 17 to Friday 21 August.

They will be followed by everyone's favourite dancer John Sergeant who will join forces with Myleene Klass, from Monday 24 to Friday 28Β August.

The One Show has established itself as essential early evening viewing – combining celebrity guests with topical reports from every corner of the UK.

Executive Producer of The One Show, Tessa Finch, says: "We're delighted to welcome four One Show favourites to stand in for Christine and Adrian while they're on holiday.

"The One Show has had a great summer and is gearing up for the autumn season with a brilliant line-up of stories from all around the UK and some extremely exciting projects for viewers to get involved with.

"The new hour-long programmes are a great vote of confidence from the audience and the channel. Everyone on The One Show is looking forward to the challenge.

"We'll be remaining true to The One Show's commitment to intelligent fun."

The hour-long shows will start in September 2009 and the specific day is to be confirmed.

Notes to Editors

The One Show was two years old on 9 July 2009.

Average audience viewing figures (year to date) for The One Show: 4.4 million.

A number of high-profile guests have appeared on the programme, including: Kate Winslet, Sir Michael Caine, Morrissey, Stephen Fry, Bette Midler, Jeremy Clarkson, David Duchovny, Dame Helen Mirren, Liam Neeson, Tom Jones, Lionel Richie, Lily Allen, James Nesbit, Joanna Lumley, Ricky Gervais, Annie Lennox, Patrick Stewart, Mr T, Julie Walters, Sir Michael Parkinson, Fern Britton, Vic and Bob, French and Saunders, Michael McIntyre, Nigella Lawson and Adam Sandler.

CI2