BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker insisted he has “never been motivated by money” after quitting his £300k salary for Channel 5.
The 45-year-old star is to replace Sian Williams as the Channel 5 News
anchor and he will also front “a whole host of new programmes across the channel”.
While sitting alongside his BBC co-host Sally Nugent today, he said:
“This has been a really difficult decision, probably the hardest
decision in my career because I love you to bits and I really love
working here and I love the team at BBC Breakfast.
“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?
“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 told his Twitter followers yesterday how the new opportunity was “too good to turn down”.
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He said: “I can’t wait to get stuck into the daily news show, but I am
also excited about making some great new TV for Channel 5.
“I love their ideas and creativity and it’s rare to get an opportunity
like this where paths and ambitions meet. The chance to do something
different was too good to turn down.”
Dan – who previously hosted ‘Football Focus’ – admitted he will leave
the BBC “in the next few weeks”.
Just last month, Dan said he didn’t see himself “going anywhere
soon” when asked about his BBC Breakfast future.
He said: “I genuinely don’t know. Honestly, I can’t say I’ll be here for
10 years because who knows? I think I told you before, I definitely
wouldn’t stay as long as Bill Turnbull’s been knocking about for.
“I love new challenges, but I love this challenge. And I really love the
programme and I love working with the people so I don’t see myself going anywhere soon.”
