Nick Robinson has been confirmed as ITN's new political editor.

Weeks of speculation were ended by ITN with the announcement that Robinson, who is currently the chief political correspondent for BBC News 24, will replace John Sargeant when he retires later this year.

Robinson's new role will remain unchanged; he will report across all of ITV's news programmes including the recently re-launched ITV News Channel.

His appointment is a major coup for ITN as Robinson is seen as one of the BBC's rising stars.

Steve Anderson, ITV's controller of news and current affairs, said: "Nick Robinson is a fine journalist, with a wealth of experience across all areas of television news and current affairs.

"His passion for politics has earned him an enviable reputation for understanding the ways of Westminster and for reporting its events clearly and quickly. I am sure he will be a worthy successor to John Sergeant, who's enjoyed an Indian summer with ITV and leaves with our best wishes," Anderson said.

Robinson, an Oxford graduate, is a career BBC journalist whose work included stints as deputy editor of Panorama and On the Record as well as radio broadcasting. He paid tribute to his ITV predecessors.

"ITN and Michael Brunson helped create the role of the modern TV political editor. He, and now John Sergeant, are two of the biggest names in political journalism. It's both daunting and an honour to fill their shoes. As a BBC lifer on release, I'll look forward to giving my old friends and colleagues a good run for their money," said Robinson.