Dan Walker has announced he is leaving BBC Breakfast after six years. The presenter confirmed the news on Monday, April 4, and explained he would be moving to Channel 5 News.
The 45-year-old is replacing Sian Williams who stepped down from anchoring the show last month. In a video clip posted to the official Channel 5 Twitter account Dan said he was "really excited".
Following the announcement many of Dan's colleagues, including his former co-host Louise Minchin who left the show after 20 years in September 2021, have wished him well. Louise wrote on Twitter: "Massive congratulations and good luck Dan. You will be missed on @BBCBreakfast but you won't miss the early alarm calls."
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But when and why is Dan Walker leaving BBC Breakfast? Here's everything we know ahead of his departure.
When is Dan Walker leaving BBC Breakfast?
While an official date hasn't been announced Dan confirmed in a short clip that he would be leaving BBC Breakfast "in the next few weeks". He said: "Hello, Dan Walker here. I have a little bit of news for you. In the next few weeks I'm going to be leaving BBC Breakfast and moving to 5 News and to Channel 5.
"I'm really excited but this has also been a massive decision for me because I love BBC Breakfast. I love working alongside Sally and I love the team there."
Dan also addressed his exit date on BBC Breakfast with host co-host Sally Nugent on Tuesday, April 5. The pair have hosted the show together for six months after Sally replaced Louise Minchin.
After Sally told Dan she'd miss him as a colleague Dan responded: "I'm sure you'll be brilliant with whoever you get to sit alongside and I'm here for a few weeks yet so don't worry."
Why is Dan Walker leaving BBC Breakfast?
Dan revealed he was leaving BBC Breakfast to move to 5 News and to Channel 5. He added that he will often have the opportunity the work on a range of programmes as well as news.
He said: "Channel 5 came with big ambitions, with big plans, and I don't think opportunities like this come around very often and I can't wait. I've also had the incredible privilege of working on some iconic programmes over the last few years, both at the BBC and elsewhere, and what I love about this deal is I not only get to present the news but also host a whole range of programmes right across the channel."
How long has Dan Walker been on BBC Breakfast?
Dan joined the sofa in 2016 where he presented alongside long-standing host Louise Minchin. He currently co-hosts the show with Sally who replaced Louise when she stepped down after 20 years in September 2021. You can read more on this here.
Louise is one of the many stars who have congratulated Dan. Comments came flooding in following the announcement.
Dan's colleague Carol Kirkwood said: "Daaaaannnn…. Congratulations! Wishing you every success… but we will miss you." And Sally wrote: "We're not just colleagues but we're friends too. Dan is simply brilliant to sit next to. I will miss him. Go and be fabulous."
And Nina Warhurst commented: "Ohhhhhhhh I’ve loved working with @mrdanwalker & I loved working @5_News , so I wish them well & hope they’ll be very happy together ok so stop asking." For more showbiz and television stories, get our newsletter here.
