BBC Formula 1 host Jake Humphrey to switch to BT football coverage from 2013

The 33-year-old will instead front BT Vision's coverage of the Barclays Premier League.

Humphrey, who was out of contract at the end of this season, has been the face of F1 on the BBC ever since the channel won the rights to broadcast races from the 2009 season.

At the end of 2011 the BBC was named broadcaster of the year at the FIA Prize Giving Gala in New Delhi.

This year however his role has been diminished as a result of the BBC's share TV deal with Sky.

Humphrey, who has fronted the London 2012 Olympics, BBC Sports Personality of the Year and European Championships football coverage in his 10-year stint with the channel, said he was thrilled to be joining BT's new venture.

"I am incredibly excited to be joining the team at BT not just because I get to fulfil a lifelong dream of presenting the Barclays Premier League but because of the fresh perspective that BT will bring to both sport and broadcasting in this country," he said.

"To be a part of this young, vibrant team who are as passionate about sport as I am, is a privilege.

"I've grown up at the BBC, and whilst I hope to work with them in the future, I'd also like to place on record my thanks to them.

"I am incredibly grateful to all colleagues, and of course the viewers, for their incredible support from CBBC all the way to Formula 1.

"My focus from the start of 2013 is on making BT's coverage of football the best this country has ever seen."

Marc Watson, chief executive of BT Vision, added: "We are absolutely delighted that Jake has chosen to join our new sports channel to anchor our Premier League programming.

"Jake is a tremendously experienced and popular sports broadcaster and a fresh, young and innovative talent.

"He impressed us with his willingness to get deeply involved in the development of our live football programming and we took into account his track record of excellent presenting across many sports.

"He fits our plans for the new channel perfectly and we are very excited to be working with him."