He said he had decided to step aside because he did not want to become a "distraction" from the awards, which celebrate the best of British television.

The former newspaper editor said he had received criticism that he lacked the "creative excellence" required to present the awards, and he had "failed to understand a social movement that values equality and diversity of voice".

In a statement on his Facebook page Mr Morgan said: "I was recently invited to host the Royal Television Society Programme Awards.

"As someone who has worked in British and American television for most of this Millennium, on a variety of shows, I thought it might be fun and agreed to do it without any fee.