Anne Robinson returns to 'Watchdog'

Anne Robinson has been revealed as the new host of a relaunched Watchdog, eight years after she quit the consumer rights show.

The presenter has renewed her £3 million deal with the broadcaster and will replace Julia Bradbury and Nicky Campbell on the programme, which will also be moved to a prime-time slot and extended to one hour, the Daily Mail reports.

BBC1 controller Jay Hunt said: "Anne Robinson's sharp wit combined with her passion for popular journalism make her the ideal people's champion. I am thrilled she will be returning to Watchdog."

An insider added: "Anne knows how journalism works inside out and already has ideas about what she'd like to do. The aim is to make the show much more hard-hitting and go into issues in more depth."

Sources claimed that the decision was "entirely unrelated" to the investigation of Bradbury for alleged irregularities in her Virgin Atlantic frequent-flyer account.

Bradbury was cleared of any wrongdoing over the incident, though her sister and former agent is still under investigation.