Dan Walker: Presenter to leave BBC Breakfast for Channel 5

BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker has announced he will be leaving the morning show to host Channel 5 news.

The presenter will replace Sian Williams as the Channel 5 news anchor, who recently announced she was leaving.

Williams also made the move across from the BBC Breakfast sofa to Channel 5 in 2016. Walker began working on BBC Breakfast the same year.

He replaced Bill Turnbull and shared the sofa with Louise Minchin until her departure in September 2021. She was replaced by Sally Nugent.

Walker also previously presented the BBC's Saturday morning sports show Football Focus but handed the baton to Alex Scott last year.

In a video shared on Twitter, Walker said it was a "massive decision" to leave Breakfast but said: "I don't think opportunities like this come around very often."

Walker added: "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.

"And what an honour to step into the shoes of Sian Williams. I know how popular she is with both the team and also the audience, so all I can say is I will do my best to maintain her incredibly high standards.

"Thank you for watching and I'll see you soon on a TV screen somewhere."

Walker took part in the most recent series of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, finishing in fifth place with partner Nadiya Bychkova.