Jonathan Ross signs new deal with BBC

LONDON, June 9 (Reuters) Presenter Jonathan Ross has signed a new deal with the BBC, the broadcaster said today, in a deal said to be worth 18 million pounds.

The BBC and Channel 4 had been locked in a bidding war over the award-winning presenter.

Media reports said Channel 4 offered Ross 18 million pounds and BBC bosses agreed to match it in a three-year deal covering radio and television.

''I'm delighted to be staying with the BBC if only because it is the only studio I can drive to without getting lost,'' the 45-year-old presenter said.

Ross hosts BBC1 chat show ''Friday night with Jonathan Ross'' and the movie series ''Film 2006'', plus a Saturday morning show on Radio 2.

Leaked figures earlier this year showed Ross was being paid 530,000 pounds a year for hosting his radio programme.

REUTERS SHR PM1740