Des O'Connor and Melanie Sykes have presented their chatshow in a lunchtime slot on ITV since 2002. The new show will run from 5pm and comes after ITV has enjoyed some success with its 'The Paul O'Grady Show' in the early evening slot.
The move will likely spark a battle over celebrity guests. The 'Richard and Judy' show has already clashed with O'Grady over big-name interviews following a spat over Joan Collins.
The Channel 4 duo poached Collins from ITV leading the former drag artist Lilly Savage, leaving O'Grady to say: "I don't give a toss who Richard and Judy have got -- it could be the Pope for all I care. Whoever they get, I'll still be nailing them in the ratings, day in and day out."
New father O'Connor, 72, said the pair were looking forward to the move: "We are looking forward to the challenge of a tea-time slot, especially as there are many more viewers able to tune in at that time."
An ITV spokesman said: "I am very confident that they will continue to build on their already loyal audience to become a family favourite at teatime."
The first series of 'The Paul O'Grady Show', which ends on December 3, managed higher ratings than 'Richard and Judy' and BBC Two's 'The Weakest Link' for the first time.
ITV is reported to have attempted to bring Richard and Judy, who were with the channel for 13 years, back from Channel 4 in May to take the 5pm-6pm slot. However, the duo signed a three-year deal with Channel 4 worth £3m.
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