Patrick Kielty has decided to quit his Almost Live chat show, it has been confirmed.

"I'm looking forward to getting my teeth into something different and these new shows are very exciting for me," he said today. "I've thoroughly enjoyed the last five and a half years of Almost Live, but after six series and more than 130 guests, it's time for me to do something different. The last series was our best ever and I wanted the show to go out on a high."

The BBC said it was in "advanced talks" with Kielty over hosting two new entertainment series for BBC One in 2004 including one primetime vehicle.