Tony Blair to appear on first edition of Daybreak breakfast programme

Former prime minister to give first live TV interview since publication of memoirs to Christine Bleakley and Adrian Chiles

Tony Blair will join Christine Bleakley and Adrian Chiles on the sofa as Britain wakes up to a new early morning television show, Daybreak, tomorrow.

Former One Show hosts Bleakley and Chiles are reunited on Daybreak, ITV1's new breakfast programme, from 6am.

Blair will be giving his first live UK television interview since publication of the book, A Journey. Yesterday, the former prime minister faced a barrage of abuse as he was confronted by anti-war protesters at his first book signing in Dublin.

Bleakley said she hoped Chiles's "jolly demeanour" would help her cope with the early starts.

She said: ""Not sure if I relish 3am wake-up calls, but I am sure Adrian's jolly demeanour will make it all the more enjoyable," she said.

Prince Charles will appear on the show, broadcast from a new studio in London, on Friday.

Bleakley followed Chiles out of the BBC two months after he left after it emerged that Chris Evans was being lined up to take his place on the One Show on Fridays.

Chiles has hit out at the corporation, saying he and Bleakley were portrayed as greedy and put under "intolerable pressure" over their decision to quit.

He added: "They are trying to portray it as a classic big money move to ITV, which couldn't be further from the truth."

Daybreak replaces GMTV, which bowed out on Friday with presenter Andrew Castle thanking the loyal viewers who watched it during a 17-year run.

He said: "Like all families, there have been squabbles along the way ? but there has been no shortage of love, effort and perseverance, and we just want to say to the viewers who have been with us loyally, for a long time, thank you so much."

He wished Bleakley and Chiles all the best, saying: "Fingers crossed for them, really good luck."