Dan Walker has revealed when he'll spend his last day on BBC Breakfast before heading off the pastures new. The presenter announced early last month that he was leaving the news programme after six years.
He joined the BBC One early morning show in 2016 and his exit comes seven months after former co-host Louise Minchin spent her last day hosting the programme, 20 years after first joining.
Dan revealed last month that viewers will instead see him on a different channel as he leaves to front Channel 5’s revamped 5 News. He said at the time that "it’s been a massive decision" for him to leave his job at the BBC for a new role.
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And now there is an official date for the Strictly Come Dancing star's last day. "Come on everyone, brace yourselves," his co-host Sally Nugent said to viewers on Tuesday's edition (May 3) of BBC Breakfast. Dan started: "You know you keep asking me when I’m going? Well, I can tell you now, officially..."
Before revealing the news, he joked to Sally: "I'm leaving in five minutes. You can do the rest yourself, can’t you?" before confirming "May 17 is my last day, so two weeks today."
Following a small gasp, Sally responded: "Ooh, that’s not many shifts left, is it? to which Dan added laughing: "If you discount this one, it's only six. Six more three o'clockers and I'm out of here."
Dan went on to thank viewers of the show for their support following his decision. "The other thing to say is, thank you to everybody who sent so many lovely messages," he said. "And one thing I have realised, because lots of people want to chat to you about this programme...
"It means an awful lot to a lot of people. It's reminded me how special this show is, and how much everybody who watches it loves it. So, thank you very much to everyone who's come up and said some lovely things."
The former Football Focus host said in a video statement about his new TV appointment last month: "I can’t wait to get stuck into the daily news show, but I am also excited about making some great new TV for Channel 5. I love their ideas and creativity and it’s rare to get an opportunity like this where paths and ambitions meet. The chance to do something different was too good to turn down."
Following his announcement he addressed the news of his impending departure on the BBC One news show after he was accused of being 'motivated by money'. He said: "I've never ever been motivated by money in any job I’ve ever taken and even though I love BBC Breakfast and everyone who works on the show, this is a fantastic opportunity to work with a brilliant team on Channel 5 and also go and make some other programmes outside of news."
