Rachel Burden confirms shock BBC Breakfast exit as ‘schedule changes’ and a ‘savings plan’ get underway
Viewers were surprised to find out they'd no longer see the fan favourite presenter on the Breakfast sofa after 11 years
Just as the ITV budget cuts saw daytime TV overhauled and stars such as Lorraine Kelly often speaking out against such drastic changes to shows for women that were mainly affected, the BBC now has its own shake-up underway.
BBC Breakfast star Rachel burden has confirmed her shock exit from her presenting slot, as scheduling upheavals and other cuts will see changes at the station as part of a £500m savings plan.
Rachel, 51, will be leaving the show after 11 years, and announced her departure on Instagram by sharing a series of behind-the-scenes pictures.
She wrote, "This is my last Sunday on the BBC Breakfast sofa before the schedule changes in September - no complaints there, we have to cut our cloth."
She continued, "But having done this for 10+ years, I just wanted to say a massive thanks to the team who’ve worked through their Saturday nights to put the programme together."
Thanking her colleagues, Rachel signed off with, "Thanks for watching. Here’s to a guaranteed Sunday lie-in."
In June, the BBC announced 550 job cuts in news, and other TV and radio content as part of a plan to to save £500m over the next two years.
The proposal includes ending Radio 4's The World Tonight, and reducing permanent presenters on Today from September, with a single anchor on Saturdays.
BBC Breakfast will no longer be shown on Sunday mornings from September, and it's thought 200 job losses from the news department will save £25 million.
Philippa Childs, head of media and entertainment union, Bectu, has called the cuts "far from ideal," saying, "I'm not sure how you can make informed decisions about the long-term future of the organisation when it will be in a substantially diminished place at the end of the process than the beginning."
The National Union of Journalists has also spoken out against the proposed cuts, suggesting they will be "devastating for audiences and communities everywhere."
Rachel received many supportive comments when she revealed her news on social media, with weather forecaster Matt Taylor writing, "Noooooo!! I didn’t realise it was your last one Rachel. Glad I got to share it with you though - whether it’s ont’telebox or over the airwaves you’re a joy to work with."
One fan commented, "On to new things I’m sure. As one door closes another always opens! You’ve been fabulous," with another adding, "Well done Rach! What a shift! You have been exemplary."
