The 28-year-old, identified by the BBC as one of the corporation's hottest properties, is leaving to move into mainstream broadcasting.

He met programme chiefs yesterday to discuss future roles, which are tipped to include a part in the BBC's 26-hour programming marathon to mark the new millennium.

New job on Radio 1

Zoe Ball: Also leaves Live & Kicking at the end of the series

He has already been given a new job - he starts a new Sunday afternoon show on Radio 1 from 4 April. He is also one of the team of presenters fronting BBC One's Top of The Pops.

He said: "I am sorry to be leaving, but I am looking forward to working on my current and new BBC projects."

BBC Production chief executive Matthew Bannister said: "Jamie has a great future and we are developing new projects alongside his continuing role as main presenter of Top Of The Pops."

Colleague Zoe Ball announced in January she was leaving the show. As well as hosting Radio 1's breakfast show, she will front the BBC's coverage of the Glastonbury Festival in June and present a new show for Channel 4.

Started career in radio

Theakston started his broadcasting career presenting travel bulletins on GLR, the BBC's London radio station. From there he graduated to pop news show The O-Zone in 1995.

He has already stepped into mainstream broadcasting by hosting the BBC's coverage of the Grammy Awards last month.

His last Live & Kicking - after three years and over 100 shows - will be next month.