Dan Walker is celebrating after statistics show his switch to Channel 5 to become the broadcaster's lead news presenter has significantly boosted ratings, just as BBC viewers declare they want him back.
It was earlier this year that former Football Focus presenter turned Strictly contestant Dan broke the shock news that he was leaving the BBC, including his long-standing job on BBC Breakfat, to make the switch to rival Channel 5, months after breakfast co-star Louise Minchin quit the show.
Dan admitted it had been "a very tough decision," to move to pastures new, as many BBC regulars reacted with upset to the fact that he'd no longer be on their TV screens every morning. In an interview on Good Morning Britain as he prepared to make his Channel 5 debut, Dan said it had taken some 'getting used to,' not having to set an alarm for 3.30am every day, while sharing his excitement of the new challenge that lay ahead for him with his new employers.
Well, a move that some sceptics branded a 'big career risk,' looks to be paying off for Dan, as, since he joined the news team at Channel 5, there has been an uplift in the number of people who've been tuning into the bulletins.
The news was revealed by a TV expert on Twitter, who posted: "Very strong start to the week for @5_News with 340k for a branded #FeelingTheHeat special. More broadly, in the 6 weeks since Dan Walker took over as main host, ratings for 5’s hour long news programme at 5pm have increased considerably, 10% by volume & over 20% by share."
Dan was quick to jump on the good news and shared it on his own Twitter timeline, adding: "Well… that’s nice to hear. Thanks so much for watching. The @5_News team are brilliant and we have big plans."
The welcome ratings boost for Dan and Channel 5 comes as some BBC viewers are calling for his return to Breakfast, with one critic saying its 'shambolic,' without him. Reacting to an episode this week, one far from impressed Twitter user wrote: "BBC breakfast a shambles since @mrdanwalker left."
Also keen to have him back on BBC Breakfast's red sofa, another told the host: "I cannot sleep since you left the BBC." And, after Dan innocently asked his Twitter followers 'how are you doing today?' one hit back to reply: "Not answering still pi**ed off you left the BBC."
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