Natasha Kaplinsky to leave Channel 5

The news presenter, who returned from maternity leave last month, was due to renegotiate her contract at the end of the year. However, it is understood that both parties have come to a mutual agreement not to renew the deal.

Although no official reason has been given, it is believed that the change of ownership at C5 and potential changes to the future direction of news, has influenced Kaplinsky’s decision.

However, new boss Richard Desmond is also embarking on a stringent cost-cutting plan that has already resulted in around 80 redundancies. It is also cracking down on suppliers and attempting to introduce a 60-day payment window, as reported in Broadcast.

Kaplinsky joined the broadcaster in February 2008 amid much fanfare, leaving the BBC for a salary reported to be £1m per year.

Just a few weeks into the job, she announced she was pregnant and began her maternity leave in August that year. On her return in February 2009, she continued to present the 5pm bulletin but took a £300,000 pay cut to drop the 7pm bulletin from her presenting duties.

A spokeswoman for Kaplinsky said the news presenter had enjoyed her time with the channel but felt that the time was right to explore other opportunities.

According to a senior BBC news source, a move back to the corporation would be unlikely in light of the current squeeze on spending and questions about where she would sit in the line-up of existing presenters.

A move to Sky may be an option with director of programmes Stuart Murphy keen to introduce more talent to the Sky1 to add to such names as Davina McCall and James Corden.