Salmon (28) has only been on the show for three years but will soon become its longest-serving member following Jones' announcement.

The Cardiff-born heartthrob (30) presents his last programme at the end of the current series in June, leaving Salmon as the only presenter from 2005 remaining on the BBC1 show.

A spokeswoman for Jones, who reached the semi-final of last year's BBC1 programme, Strictly Come Dancing, said he had always wanted to leave by the time he was 30.

He said: "I've had a career on Blue Peter that you wouldn't even dream about and for that I feel privileged and fortunate. I've appreciated every day of the past three and a bit years and am grateful to all the viewers for tuning in.

"It's astonishing how much the little blue badge can help others, and long may that continue."

The presenter, who celebrated his 30th birthday last month, said he was sad to be "jumping ship" but would still be on screen until June while also working on other projects.

Jones's Blue Peter adventures have included flying with the Red Arrows, fighting as a Samurai warrior in Japan, surviving the Bolivian jungle, playing the violin at the Proms with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, trekking to the top of the UK's four tallest mountains, and learning how to race as a jockey.