I'd like X Factor and Corrie on Five, says Desmond

Media tycoon Richard Desmond has signalled his wish to win established programmes from other channels after taking over the Five TV network.

The newspaper and magazine proprietor said Coronation Street, X Factor and Panorama would all be good on the channel he had just acquired.

He is also thinking about reviving Big Brother, which is in its last series on Channel 4.

The owner of the Daily Express and OK! magazine, who is said to be worth £950 million, paid £103.5 million to European entertainment network RTL for its 100 per cent shareholding.

RTL said the deal with Mr Desmond's Northern & Shell company had been closed with immediate effect.

Mr Desmond told Sky News that Five was a great channel and he advised all viewers to switch to it to watch the best programming.