Motorsport commentator extraordinaire Ben Edwards has confirmed that he will be moving over to the BBC as their main Formula One commentator from the start of the 2012 season, replacing the Sky Sports-bound Martin Brundle.
The move was first reported on Monday by the gpupdate.net website, after having been mooted in the online rumour mill for several days.
But Edwards confirmed his move via his Twitter account on Tuesday evening, saying that he couldn't wait to work with the BBC crew.
"So, it looks as though it's really happening. I will be the BBC F1 commentator in 2012 and I can't wait!" he tweeted briskly.
He added: "It took a while for things to be sorted, and thanks to ITV for being so understanding. Really looking forward to working with the crew."
Edwards has commentated on F1 in the past, most recently on the UK version of the F1 Digital pay-per-view service in 2002.
The capture of Edwards from ITV's British Touring Car Championship coverage will be seen as a timely boost for the Beeb, who saw the spine of their award-winning F1 team poached by Sky Sports.
The satellite giant, which will show all 20 F1 races live next season, secured deals with the likes of Martin Brundle, David Croft, Anthony Davidson and Ted Kravitz.
Edwards will pair up with David Coulthard in the BBC's commentary box for next season, with the free-to-air channel set to show ten races live per season from the start of 2012.
The remaining events will be shown in the form of extended highlights packages.
With Edwards and Coulthard in the commentary box, and regular BBC TV presenters Jake Humphrey, Eddie Jordan and Lee McKenzie all confirmed for 2012, the only remaining vacancy is as McLaren pit reporter, the role vacated by Kravitz.
The BBC's radio team is less well-defined, with Croft and Davidson, as well as pit lane reporter Natalie Pinkham, all needing to be replaced.
Former F1 commentators James Allen and Jonathan Legard have been mentioned as possible recruits for the radio position.
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