Sir Trevor McDonald is to quit News At Ten by the end of the year, after less than 12 months back at the helm.

The presenter, 68, is expected to go out on a high after anchoring the U.S. elections.

The relaunch of the iconic ITV bulletin in January has proved less than successful in the ratings. But sources say that Sir Trevor's decision is more about the strain of the late-night working hours.

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'Times have changed': Sir Trevor with co-host Julie Etchingham

Despite the £1million pay packet that goes with the job, he yesterday admitted to the Daily Mail that 'all good things must come to an end'.

He conceded it was 'very possible' that he will not be there in the New Year but added: 'I just really haven't got there yet. It might be destabilising if you announce long, long in advance when you are going.'

He said: 'I am 69 in August and you have got to collect your freedom pass sometime.'

Sir Trevor stressed that ITV bosses were keen to keep him. Sources said he had been quite happy to step down from the news when he first announced his departure in 2005 after 32 years.

He came out of retirement after intense lobbying by ITV's executive chairman Michael Grade, who made him an offer he could not refuse.

But sources close to Sir Trevor say he has found the late nights hard going and they are taking a toll on his family life.

Added to this, the show has been trounced by the BBC's Ten O'Clock News, despite returning in a blaze of publicity with the familiar bongs of Big Ben.

The BBC bulletin was getting more than twice the viewers in the first three months after the relaunch.

News At Ten's viewing figures have dropped as low as 1.7million since the relaunch, although it has recently rallied slightly to more than 2.5million.

News At Ten began in 1967 but was replaced by an 11pm bulletin in 1999 to make way for films and sporting events. Viewers deserted in their droves and so the programme was brought back in 2001.

From 2004 until this year, ITV's nightly bulletin was shown at 10.30pm.

Sources close to Sir Trevor admit that since he has come back he feels that 'times have changed'.

It is believed his departure will be confirmed in September and most assume that ITV news presenter Mark Austin will succeed him.

A senior ITV source confirmed that no one at the network was expecting the esteemed presenter to see out the role beyond the end of the year.

They said: 'We have not had any formal talks yet but the view on both sides is that we would be surprised if he does a second year.'

Others have claimed that there have been creative differences among staff on the show over presentation and production issues.

Sir Trevor is expected to continue working for ITV on shows such as Tonight.