Strictly's Dan Walker quits BBC Breakfast and reveals his next steps

Strictly's Dan Walker quits BBC Breakfast, only 7 months after his former co-host Louise Minchin left the show

Dan Walker, BBC TV presenter, in action during the Pro Am event prior to the start of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club on July 10, 2019 in North Berwick, United Kingdom.
(Image credit: Andrew Redington/Getty Images))

Strictly's Dan Walker has revealed he's leaving BBC Breakfast, much to the devastation of his loyal fans. However, there's no need to worry as he'll still be hitting UK screens, in an exciting new role.

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 favorite Dan has been lighting up the lives of loyal fans for six years in his presenting role on BBC Breakfast. This news comes only months after Strictly's Dan Walker praised former colleague Louise Minchin, as she left her role on BBC Breakfast.

It looks like he's had enough of those early starts as the host has revealed that he's moving into a later shift. Instead of hosting the red-eye show, Dan will be entertaining and informing fans of the news from 5pm every day on Channel 5.


In a video post, shared via his Twitter account he said, “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."

The presenter 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."

Acknowledging the range of opportunity he's had at the BBC and elsewhere, Dan revealed why his new gig is so appealing. He added, "what I love about this deal is I not only get to present the news but also host a whole range of new programs right across the channel."

He''s taking over from Sian Williams, the veteran newscaster who also joined the Channel 5 team after leaving BBC Breakfast.

Fully aware of the challenge it will be to rake over from the former host, Dan added, "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."

The BBC has yet to reveal who'll replace the host on their flagship breakfast show alongside Sally Nugent, but considering his popularity with viewers, he's going to be a tough act to follow.

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.