BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent has spoken out publicly following the news Dan Walker is quitting his job at the BBC.
Dan has decided to ditch his role as BBC Breakfast anchor and instead has joined rival network Channel 5.
The TV star, 45, is set to become lead anchor on Channel 5’s flagship news bulletin show 5 News, which was recently revamped and launched in November.
His expanded role will also see him present a series of non-news shows across the channel.
Sally has now broken her silence on the departure of her BBC Breakfast co-host Dan in front of her 143k followers.
Taking to Twitter following the news on Monday (April 4), Sally was full of praise for her “brilliant” colleague Dan, who she insisted was also her friend.
(Image: mrdanwalker/Twitter)
She quote tweeted Dan’s tweet, where he confirmed the news of his exciting new TV job.
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.”
Dan himself replied to the tweet, writing: “You’ll set me off, see you in the morning partner” as he attached a crying emoji.
His BBC Breakfast colleagues Nina Warhurst and Mike Bushell have also sent their congratulations to Dan on social media.
(Image: Twitter/Sally Nugent)
Mike called Dan a “brilliant man” as he wrote: “Wow huge congratulations @mrdanwalker you’ll be greatly missed by your @BBCBreakfast family as you’re so brilliant as a broadcaster, egg man, friend, on and off the box, but it will be an exciting new challenge and chapter.”
Replying to Mike, Dan said: “I’m sad to go Mike but also excited. Love you to bits.”
Nina seemed emotional at Dan’s departure as she shared a snap of a young girl looking sad, suggesting she was going to miss her pal.
She said: “Ohhhhhhhh I’ve loved working with @mrdanwalker & I loved working@5_News.
Nina then posted a series of crying emojis as she added: “so I wish them well & hope they’ll be very happy together ok so stop asking emojis]”.
(Image: Laurie Fletcher/Channel 5)
Walker told her it was an “absolute pleasure” to work with her, writing: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you too Nina. See you in the morning”.
Dan’s former co-host Louise Minchin also sent Dan a sweet message, joking that he won’t miss the early alarm calls.
Minchin wrote: “Massive congratulations and good luck Dan. You will be missed on @BBCBreakfast but you won’t miss the early alarm calls”.
Dan joked back: “Ah… the magical world of lie-ins”.
Dan has worked at the BBC for 13 years in total and presented BBC Breakfast for six years.
He joined BBC’s Football Focus back in 2009 and hosted the sports show until last year when he stepped down.
(Image: BBC)
Walker has also starred on other BBC shows during his time with the broadcaster, including Match of the Day and Radio 5 Live.
He previously co-hosted Breakfast with Louise Minchin, who left the BBC last September after nearly 20 years at the channel.
Speaking about his move, Dan said the offer from Channel 5 was “too good to turn down”.
He said: “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.”
(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
He also confirmed the news in a video shared by the Channel 5 Twitter account, where he admitted leaving Breakfast was a “massive decision” as he loves it there so much.
Addressing his fans, Dan said: “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, but 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.”
Sally was confirmed as Louise’s replacement in October after co-presenting the show on a freelance basis, filling in for hosts who were unavailable.
She used to present sports bulletins alongside Mike Bushell on the programme, with experience as a sports reporter on BBC News.
For more of the latest showbiz news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
