Long-time breakfast presenter Fiona Phillips is leaving GMTV after giving up on the 21st century female dream of ‘having it all’, her agent confirmed today.

Despite reportedly being only half-way through a three-year, £1.5 million contract, the 47-year-old will leave the programme in December to devote more time to her children and her elderly father.

In a statement released by GMTV, the presenter, who has been anchoring the show for 12 years, said it had been "the hardest decision I have ever made".

"I love the job but I've got other responsibilities - the children, a home life and an elderly dad who needs me - and I've recognised that I can't have it all," she said.

She joined the show in 1993 as entertainment correspondent and spent two years in the US as the LA correspondent before landing the top job on the sofa. In 1996 she became the breakfast show’s main anchor.

GMTV's director of programming Peter McHugh paid tribute today, commenting that she would be sorely missed.

"But after all those years of getting up at 4am we can understand why she wants a change.

"Her honesty and openness have helped make GMTV the success it is. She is a tough act to follow.

"But she's not going until Christmas which gives us plenty of opportunity to organise lots of leaving dos."

Despite her departure, the presenter will not be completely disappearing from TV screens. Her agent said last night: "Fiona is leaving GMTV but she is not leaving television."

In her time with the programme she has covered the OJ Simpson trial, the Los Angeles earthquake and interviewed everyone from Brad Pitt to Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

She spoke to Michael Barrymore in September 2002 about the death of Stuart Lubbock in his swimming pool and has regularly interviewed the Beckhams.

She started her career in independent radio working for local stations County Sound, Hereward Radio and Radio Mercury before joining BBC's South and East Weekend Programme as co-presenter.

Phillips later took a job as a reporter with Sky News, before becoming their entertainment editor.

The presenter is married to GMTV editor Martin Frizell and the couple has two sons, Nathanial, 9, and Mackenzie, 6.

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