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Simon Duke

BBC Breakfast's Dan Walker shuts down speculation on why he's leaving for Channel 5 job

Dan Walker has hit back at speculation that he's leaving BBC Breakfast for Channel 5 because he's sick of a lack of 'primetime opportunities.'

There was surprise amongst loyal viewers of the morning show last week when long serving presenter Dan announced he was leaving, just months after popular Louise Minchin also made her exit from the BBC after close to 20 years. Sharing a post from 5 News, Dan said: "I'm really excited but this has also been a massive decision for me as I love BBC Breakfast, I love working alongside Sally (Nugent) and I love the team there.

"But Channel 5 came with big ambitions, with big plans and I don't think opportunities like this come along very often and I can't wait."

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Since Dan made his announcement, there have been rumours doing the rounds suggesting he'd become unhappy at the BBC. According to The Sun, the star who is said to earn in the region of £300,000 a year at the BBC, was unhappy when bosses refused to give him his own prime-time show.

Dan took to Twitter to address the claims and poured cold water on the speculation, writing: "It is often the case that the simple truth is much duller than all the made-up ‘moles’ and so-called ‘sources’ claim.

" In a nutshell… a bloke with a really good job, which he loved, got offered a really good job somewhere else which provided an amazing new challenge and the chance to make some exciting TV.

He added: "The bloke explained to his current employers that, even though it was a tough decision, he had decided to leave.

"They are now trying their best to allow him to make a dignified departure. Have a great Monday. I’m off for some toast."

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