Penny Smith leaves GMTV

Penny Smith, who has been a news presenter for GMTV for 17 years, is to leave. She said in a statement : 'It's an ideal time for me to say goodbye to early mornings. Now that the format has changed I have taken the plunge and am moving on.' It is understood that the 6am to 7am News Hour, hosted by Smith and John Stapleton is to be axed and GMTV's main sofa presenters will start an hour earlier. Stapleton will become a roving Special Correspondent. Sources: Daily Mail / DigitalSpy