The former TV and radio presenter has announced he is to make a prime-time entertainment show called Boys And Girls for the channel - as well as another project which is being kept under wraps.

We will try to create two stand-out television programmes, unlike anything currently on the UK's screens

Chris Evans

The creator of hit shows TFI Friday and Don't Forget Your Toothbrush is also said to be talking to Channel 5 about two new shows.

Channel 4 said it was "delighted" that Evans, 35, was coming back - more than two years after he presented the second-to-last edition of TFI Friday.

The channel said Boys And Girls would be a weekly live show, one hour long and studio-based in the tradition of TFI and Don't Forget Your Toothbrush.

But a spokeswoman said Evans would not be recreating either of those programmes: "It's bound to be something completely different yet again because that's the way he works.

"What we are all aiming for is something that has the same degree of reinvention that those programmes had."

'Thrilled'

No presenters have yet been lined up for the 13-week series, which will be aimed at a 16 to 34-year-old audience.

It will be broadcast early next year.

Evans has spent most of the past year abroad

Evans said he was "thrilled" at the commissions from Channel 4.

"We will try to create two stand-out television programmes, unlike anything currently on the UK's screens," he said.

Channel 4's head of entertainment Danielle Lux said of Evans: "It's the natural home for his unique brand of bold, totally original broadcasting."

Evans recently said he was to produce an afternoon show for Channel 5 presented by BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles.

He is also reportedly in discussions with the channel about producing a weekday morning show presented by Terry Wogan and Gaby Roslin.

He has spent much of the past year abroad with his new wife, pop star Billie Piper, since a much publicised departure from Virgin Radio's early morning show after a series of rows with the station.