BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker was joined by a galaxy of his BBC star pals at his leaving bash held at a "secret" Salford bar. BBC man Dan presented for the channel for the final time on an emotional last show live on Tuesday morning.
He headed out on Wednesday night for his leaving party with all his BBC Breakfast and former BBC Sport colleagues, including co-hosts Sally Nugent, Naga Munchetty and sports presenter Mike Bushell. News presenter Jon Kay - who is being hotly tipped to take over from Dan on the big red sofa - was also at the bash, along with Morning Live host Gethin Jones, who is also billed as a contender for his replacement on the breakfast show.
Dan, who previously hosted the BBC's Football Focus show, was also joined at the party by sports stars including former England captain Alan Shearer and American football star Jason Bell.
READ MORE : Dan Walker flooded with messages from co-stars as he presents his final show
For his leaving do, he booked out the private bar space at HOST Social which is billed as MediaCity 's "best kept secret". Formerly known as On the Seventh private members bar, it boasts stunning views out across the Quays as well as stylish interiors up on the seventh floor of the HOST building, just opposite the BBC studios.
The bar is open all through the week days for coffees and as a work space for anyone working in businesses across MediaCity. The stylish space is also available to book for private events and parties in the evenings.
The packed leaving party was "full of surprises" according to Dan, with a cardboard cut-out of the presenter seen around the bar space. He had previously been surprised with a host of quirky leaving gifts on his last day on screen on Tuesday and was spotted leaving the BBC studios with a giant inflatable lobster in a nod to one of his flamboyant dances on Strictly Come Dancing to the B52's Rock Lobster.
Sharing a host of happy photos from the party on his Instagram feed, Dan said: "What a wonderful evening with friends and family at my leaving do tonight. So many surprises and just so much fun being together with so many gorgeous humans.
He added: "Thanks to everyone who came. I will miss you all."
Dan had had co-star Sally Nugent nearly in tears on his final day in the BBC Breakfast studio, when he was joined by his former co-host Louise Minchin who returned after leaving her post last year.
Towards the end of the show, Dan made a heartfelt speech as his time on BBC Breakfast came to a close. "It's come around a lot more quickly than I thought," he said as the BBC crew gathered behind the sofa to join his farewell. "It does feel a bit surreal, I think, the fact that I won't be sitting on this sofa anymore, the fact that I won't be sitting next to you after today," he said, looking towards his co-star Sally Nugent.
"I think when you're in this situation, you do look back at the things you've done and the stories that you've covered, the people that you've met. I'm really thankful that I've had so many incredible memories of working on this programme and the wonderful moments that this role has given me. It's been a real privilege to sit here and to present this programme which we all know means an awful lot to so many people who watch."
As Dan prepares to take on his new presenting role with Channel 5, the BBC has released the job description for the next BBC Breakfast chief presenter as it seeks a replacement for the star. The programme's editor Richard Frediani, who was at Dan's leaving bash on Wednesday, said he is looking for "an outstanding" presenter for the UK's number one rated breakfast show.
The advert, available online from the BBC, says BBC Breakfast is looking for a chief presenter to work alongside Sally Nugent, Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt in a role that aims to inform and entertain viewers and the BBC says a presenter on BBC Breakfast has to have the knowledge and confidence to deal with the main stories of the day.
While no exact salary is given, the pay band is FP, which is a top-level pay packet for the most senior on-air presenters, according to the National Audit Office. Band F salaries at the BBC are between £60,000 and £110,000, so the successful candidate can expect a decent salary for their efforts.
The closing date for the role is May 24, 2022. Prior to Dan's exit, fellow BBC star Jon Kay was favourite to replace him. The journalist, 52, is a South West correspondent for BBC News and often steps in to the main host role on BBC Breakfast.
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