Irish TV presenter Eamonn Holmes has announced he is to retire from British broadcaster Sky News.

Holmes, from Belfast, has been anchoring the 'Sunrise' breakfast show on the network for 11 years.

In a statement he said it "has been for me the stuff of boyhood dreams".

"Forty five years plus on I have other dreams, and to achieve them I realise that unfortunately I need to step away from the daily studio commitment for a while.

"There is an addiction to a live breaking news studio environment. However, after more than 3,000 hours of programming it is a habit I have to suppress.

"Increasingly in life I have found myself in the fortunate position of having so much to do but little time to do it. This seems an opportune moment to change that."

Holmes (56) says he now plans to produce and present a number of documentary projects.

He will also continue his work with UK broadcasters ITV and Channel 5. He currently presents 'This Morning' on ITV with his wife, Ruth Langsford.

Holmes continued: "Finally, I cannot stress how hard it is saying goodbye to such a programme and the friends and colleagues who I have met over the years because of it - but nothing stays the same - nor should it.

"New studios mean a wonderful chance for new ideas and a new approach with new presenters.

"I hope they enjoy and respect the privilege of hosting Sunrise and waking up Britain and the world as much as I have.

"To those who have worked or woken up with me on Sky News over the years - thank you. I hope you appreciated that I tried to do it differently."