The BBC has released the job description for the next BBC Breakfast chief presenter as it seeks a replacement for Dan Walker who has left to join Channel 5. The programme's editor Richard Frediani 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 with everything they need for the day ahead.
No exact salary is given, but 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 to be on considerably more than that.
Of the role's responsibility, the BBC says a presenter on BBC Breakfast has to have the knowledge and confidence to deal with the main stories of the day and to entertain and inform viewers. The successful candidate would have a working pattern around three days a week - normally Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in a 26.25 hour working week, based in Media City, Salford.
It says the successful candidate will be able to broadcast to a mass mainstream audience and be as comfortable discussion popular culture and real life issues as they are politics and news. The closing date is May 24, 2022.
The job description says: "You will be authoritative and experienced and can handle breaking news, whilst also being warm, entertaining and able to offer our viewers great company to create a daily viewing habit. In this role the presenter needs to demonstrate the ability to connect and reflect the diversity of the UK."
Other skills the successful candidate will also have include:
- The ability to combine the unique challenge of BBC One broadcasting to a mass mainstream audience and delivering our highest standards of public service journalism.
- Significant experience of interviewing a broad range of guests, both live and pre-recorded, from senior politicians and major public figures to guests with an emotive story.
- Ability to identify and develop news lines within a live interview.
- Excellent knowledge of a broad range of subject areas from politics and national issues through to mainstream sports and popular culture.
Dan Walker said hosting a show like BBC Breakfast was a “dream” of his as he closed his final programme. The BBC flagship breakfast show delivered a special programme to send off the broadcaster after six years as he leaves to join Channel 5 to become the lead anchor on 5 News.
The 45-year-old admitted he does not know who would be replacing him but said he hopes they care about the programme, the people they work with, and viewers. Walker closed his final show on Tuesday morning sat beside his current co-presenter Sally Nugent and former long-term co-host Louise Minchin, who made a surprise appearance, while surrounded by the show’s production team.
Earlier this month, Walker announced his move to Channel 5, where he will present the recently relaunched flagship news bulletin 5 News, as well as “fronting a range of new programming on the channel”.
