Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Winkleman said stepping down 'wasn't as easy decision' Danny Martindale/Getty

Claudia Winkleman has quit as host of BBC movie review show Film…, six years after taking over the role from Jonathan Ross. This means Film 2016, which finished broadcasting in March, was her last series.

The presenter said deciding to step down "wasn't an easy decision", but that "juggling all kinds of things for TV and radio" left her little choice, as the show "simply deserves someone who can give it their all.

The 44-year-old presenter admitted she would miss co-host Danny Leigh and the rest of the team.

Mark Bell, BBC head of arts commissioning, said: "We've loved having Claudia on Film 2016 and I'd like to thank her for all her hard work and commitment to the show."

Film… has been a BBC fixture since it began in 1971. Barry Norman became its permanent presenter the following year, and remained until 1998, when Jonathan Ross took over. He eventually departed for Winkleman – marking the first time the show was not presented by a film critic – in 2010.

Despite leaving Film 2016, Winkleman will still present the BBC's The Great British Sewing Bee, this year's Strictly Come Dancing and host a Radio 2 show.

A new series will return this autumn with the new presenter to be announced "in due course", the BBC said.