2:24pm UK, Thursday July 29, 2004

Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky is set to become the BBC's face of light entertainment.      

The former Sky News presenter has been discovered by a new audience after winning the Strictly Come Dancing show.

180 Natasha Kaplinsky H&S

Natasha Kaplinsky

The 31-year-old will still co-host BBC Breakfast but bosses are also keen for her to front entertainment shows, according to The Sun.     

Her first prime-time job will be hosting Restoration with comedian Griff Rhys Jones.      

BBC entertainment chief Wayne Garvie told the paper: "Natasha was hugely popular on Strictly Come Dancing.      

"It has helped her make a move to entertainment while keeping her authority as a newscaster.      

"She's very talented and there are a lot of new projects in the pipeline."      

Strictly Come Dancing was the BBC's biggest Saturday night hit in years.      

Press speculation about a relationship with dance teacher Brendan Cole has been dismissed as "nonsense" by Natasha.