Dan Walker "broke the habit of a lifetime" during his emotional exit from BBC Breakfast.
The broadcaster bid farewell to the iconic red sofa today as he prepares to join Channel 5 news. The final segment of Tuesday's edition was dedicated to Dan's best bits over the past six years he has fronted the BBC's flagship news show.
The presenter anchored his final programme alongside Sally Nugent. Sally invited Louise Minchin back on to the show, who issued an emotional tribute to her former co-host.
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She said: "It's very emotional to be here. I know lots of people watching will be very sad that you are leaving because you have touched the hearts of the nation over the last six years. I know people have loved watching you."
Louise quit BBC Breakfast last year and she she asked whether they were going to "break the rules" as she hugged Dan on her return to the studio. She added: "I say break the habit of a lifetime because in all the years we sat next to each other, we never touched."
Dan delivered an emotional leaving speech at the end of the show said thank you to his colleagues and the audience watching at home. He added: "It's always been my dream to do a job like this. It does feel a bit surreal that I won't be on this sofa anymore.
"There aren't many jobs where you get the chance to give a voice to other people and tell other people's stories and that's what we all love to do more than anything else."
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays at 6am on BBC One and iPlayer
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