O'Connell has been the centre of speculation in recent weeks after his sudden absence from the station for the last two weeks. The presenter is understood to have contracted food poisoning last week and has extended his leave with a holiday this week.
O'Connell is one of the alternative music station's rising stars. He joined two years ago and in that time has attracted a cult following. Celebrity listeners include: rival radio presenter Jonathan Ross; 'Cold Feet' star James Nesbitt, a regular guest on the show; and Chris Evans, whose TV company UMTV produces the 'Christian O'Connell Live' show on terrestrial TV channel Five.
Xfm managing director Graham Bryce said: "We're delighted that Christian has committed himself to Xfm for the foreseeable future. He's one of the most talented broadcasters in the UK and together with Xfm we believe he can build his breakfast show into one of the biggest in London."
This year, the Xfm 'Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show' won the Sony Gold Award for Best Breakfast Show. It was described by the judges as "compelling listening" and O'Connell was described as "a really talented broadcaster fronting an inventive and very funny show".
Last year, he won the NTL commercial presenter of the year award.
O'Connell was last week replaced on the breakfast show by Xfm newcomer Adam Longworth, while disgraced former 'Blue Peter' presenter Richard Bacon took over the TV show. Bacon has been doing a more than adequate job hosting both TV and radio shows this week.
Earlier this week, while presenting a quiz on the breakfast show called "dole or payroll", Bacon got attacked by a passerby on the street. In the quiz, Bacon describes a person out on the street, and a listener has to call in and say whether or not they think they have a job. One of the subjects took offence earlier this week and attacked the presenter.
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