Dan Walker shocked his followers on Monday when he announced he was leaving BBC Breakfast after six years. The presenter joined the programme back in 2016 to host the early morning news programme alongside Louise Minchin.
His exit comes seven months after his former co-host spent her last day hosting the programme, 20 years after first joining, after announcing her own exit a few months earlier.
In his video announcement which shared on social media, Dan revealed that he'll now be swapping morning's for the afternoon s the host of Channel 5’s revamped 5 News. He will replace Sian Williams to present 5 News, after Williams announced she was stepping down earlier this month.
Dan, who also left his role on Football Focus last year, said "it’s been a massive decision" for him to leave his job at the BBC for a new role but that "the chance to do something different was too good to turn down."
He has since addressed his impending departure with his Breakfast co-host Sally Nugent, who replaced Louise on the programme last year, as he returned to the famous sofa on Tuesday's show.
"We've been friends for 20 years, we worked together for six months," Sally started by emotionally saying. "And you're off!"
"Yes," he replied. "But as you know - as I explained to you before all the news came out - this has been a really difficult decision for me. Probably the hardest decision I've had to make in my career because I love you to bits and I really love working here and I love the team at BBC Breakfast," Dan said as Sally interjected: "I love you too, Daniel."
But Dan said he couldn’t turn down the "fantastic opportunity" after he was accused of being 'motivated by money' by those surprised by his career decision.
"The six years I’ve had on this sofa has been the best six years of my career by some distance, but I think sometimes opportunities come along and you have to grab them, don’t you?" he went on.
"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."
Dan's BBC co-stars were among those helping him celebrate his news. Sally tweeted Dan's announcement and said: "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."
Former co-host and friend Louise added: "Massive congratulations and good luck Dan. You will be missed on @BBCBreakfast but you won’t miss the early alarm calls."
