The BBC’s economics editor Robert Peston has said joining rival channel ITV has been the “hardest career decision” of his life.

The journalist and presenter will take up the role of political editor on ITV News, and will also host a new show, Peston On Sunday.

Robert Peston
Robert Peston (Yui Mok/PA)

The 55-year-old, whose departure marks the end of a 10-year stint at the public service broadcaster, takes over from Tom Bradby, the new presenter of ITV News At Ten.

Tom Bradby
Tom Bradby (Tony Ward/ITV)

Robert said: “I am very excited by ITV’s plans to create a distinctive and authoritative new voice in news and political coverage. Leaving the wonderful BBC has been the hardest career decision of my life, but it’s impossible to turn down an opportunity like this.”

Geoff Hill, editor of ITV News, said: “I’m delighted that Robert is joining us at such an important time as we continue to develop News At Ten. He is a hugely respected and competitive journalist, renowned for agenda-setting journalism.

“Our news programmes will benefit greatly from his distinctive style and his political expertise, and his appointment sends out a clear message about our ambitions.”

Peston On Sunday is tipped to go head-to-head with Andrew Marr’s Sunday morning politics programme on BBC One.

Andrew Marr
Andrew Marr hosts a Sunday morning politics programme (Giles Park/BBC)

Andrew said he would welcome the competition, telling Steve Wright on his BBC Radio 2 show: “Well folks, it is rumoured that Robert Peston, a man crippled by a sense of his own lack of self-worth and insecurity, is going to be up against me doing an ITV 9am politics show.

“I think all competition is good, I think we all do better if we’re competed against, head-to-head. Fine. Bring it on.”