Dan Walker quits BBC for Channel 5
CHANNEL 5 have swooped in to poach popular BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker in a big money deal.
The broadcaster, who presented Football Focus from 2009 to 2021, has hosted the BBC1 morning show since 2016.
He earned £295,000 at the corporation last year and it is understood his new contract will mean a much bigger salary.
Dan, 45, will present 5 News as a replacement for Sian Williams, who stepped down earlier this month, as well as hosting other programmes for the channel.
He said it was a “massive decision”, but added: “I don’t think opportunities like this come round very often.”
He previously fronted Breakfast with Louise Minchin, who departed in September 2021 to be replaced by Sally Nugent.
Dan told fans: “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 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.”
It is understood that Dan, who took part in the 2021 series of Strictly Come Dancing, does not wish to cut ties with the BBC completely and hopes to be involved in their Olympics coverage in future. Cait FitzSimons, editor of 5 News, said she was “excited” to start working with Dan in a few weeks’ time, saying his “key strength” is his strong connection with viewers. Dan is one of several big-name BBC stars to depart in recent weeks, including Emily Maitlis, Andrew Marr and Jon Sopel.