COMEDIAN Dave Spikey is to leave the Channel 4 television show 8 Out of 10 Cats.
The Bolton entertainer has acted as team leader on the show, which challenges panellists to answer a series of questions based on opinion polls, for four series.
He will be replaced by XFM breakfast DJ Jason Manford when the new series of the show is broadcast this summer.
It is understood that frequently travelling to London to film the show each week was proving tiring.
The show has hugely raised the comedian's profile, which had already been boosted by his appearances in Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights.
It led to an airing of his one-off play Magnolia about a team of painters and decorators which was part of BBC 1's new Comedy Playhouse nights.
In 2001, Dave was still working at the Royal Bolton Hospital as chief medical scientist in charge of the haemotology laboratory.
With the phenomenal success of the two series of Phoenix Nights, Dave went on to a successful 60 day nationwide tour including sell-out nights at the Albert Halls in Bolton.
He has just finished filming the series Would I lie to You, a variation of Call my Bluff, with Angus Deayton as host.
On Sunday he took part in a celebrity charity football match to raise money for the Samaritans.
Dave was among dozens of celebrities to take part in the event, which was held at West Ham FC's ground, Upton Park.
Babyshambles lead singer Pete Doherty and his team won the competition, which also featured stars from Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Eastenders.
