Natasha Kaplinsky has resigned from the BBC to become the new face of Five News, it was announced today.

She will appear on Five from early next year, replacing Kirsty Young, who left the channel this summer.

"After five incredibly rewarding years at the BBC, I found the chance to work with the team at Five too exciting to pass up," Kaplinsky said.

Kaplinsky is the second high-profile presenter to leave the BBC this week. Veteran broadcaster Moria Stuart resigned on Wednesday.

Securing Kaplinsky is a coup for Five. The 35-year-old has become one of the BBC's best known faces since joining the Corporation in 2002.

She is the regular presenter of the BBC Six O'Clock News bulletin and has hosted coverage of flagship events such as Children In Need.

She has appeared on numerous other BBC One shows – competing in and winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, and featuring in Who Do You Think You Are?, in which she traced her family history back to the Holocaust.

At Five she will see her present the channel’s main 5.30pm and 7pm bulletins. The channel hailed Kaplinsky as "one of the brightest stars in broadcasting" and said her recruitment was part of a plan to "refresh and relaunch" Five's news output.

Kaplinsky said: "Five has changed the face of news before, and now they're going to do it again. I can't wait to be a part of it."

Jay Hunt, Five's director of programmes, said: "Natasha is one of the most talented broadcasters on British television.

"From the Six O'Clock News to Children In Need, she has demonstrated her popularity with viewers.

"I am thrilled she has decided to join Five and become one of the key faces of the channel."

Chris Shaw, senior programme controller at Five, added: "As one of the country's leading news presenters, Natasha has proved she has real authority, and with her BBC1 shows she also demonstrated her warmth and star quality."

The Oxford-educated presenter worked on local TV news programmes before joining Sky News in 2000. Two years later she moved to the BBC as co-anchor of its Breakfast programme.

As Kaplinsky moves to Five, her predecessor is set to become one of the BBC's biggest names. Kirsty Young was recently unveiled as the new host of BBC1's Crimewatch programme. She also presents Desert Island Discs on Radio 4.

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