Entertainment
Who could replace Dan Walker after BBC Breakfast exit? AJ Odudu and Matt Baker among favourites
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Dan Walker announced he would be stepping away from his role at BBC Breakfast and moving to Channel 5 – but who could end up taking over?
In the massive announcement on Monday, the presenter, who has been on the Breakfast couch since 2016 confirmed he will soon front Channel 5’s revamped 5 News, after Sian Williams stepped down last month.
The news comes just months after his colleague Louise Minchin left the morning TV gig after 20 years on the sofa, with regular relief presenter Sally Nugent named her replacement.
Speaking about the move, Dan said in a statement: ‘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.’
With Dan preparing to wave goodbye to the BBC Breakfast team, we have a look at some of the famous faces tipped to take over.
Gethin Jones
Jones is already a fixture on BBC in the mornings (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
The Welsh presenter will be a familiar face to many, as he’s currently the host of mid-morning programme, Morning Live, which comes straight after BBC Breakfast.
Jones also takes up the role of roving reporter on Strictly spin-off, It Takes Two, and started out his BBC career on Blue Peter in 2005.
He’s the frontrunner at 2/1 odds, with Alex Apati of Ladbrokes saying: ‘Gethin Jones could soon be swapping the green sofa for a red one, with BBC Breakfast chiefs seemingly set to keep Dan Walker’s replacement close to home.’
AJ Odudu
Odudu won an award for her presenting skills just last week (Picture: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing finalist AJ Odudu has been smiling on our screens since 2009, and has hosted programmes such as Big Brother’s Bit On The Side and The Voice UK.
Last week she took home a Royal Television Society award for entertainment performance for presenting The Big Breakfast with Mo Gilligan back in September 2021.
It would come as no surprise to us if the Lancashire-born star bagged one of the biggest presenting jobs around.
With Odudu at 7/2 odds, Apati added: There’s also a strong chance AJ Odudu gets the nod and with Dan’s co-host, Sally Nugent, already seemingly offering her the role, his replacement could be through the door sooner rather than later.’
Jermaine Jenas
Could he join Sally Nugent on the BBC Breakfast sofa? (Picture: Joe Maher/Getty Images)
The former footballer turned TV host has impressed in recent years with his presenting on Match of The Day spin-off, MOTDx.
He became one of the regular hosts of The One Show in late 2021, and appears alongside Alex Jones and other stand-in presenters.
But could he swap the evening gig for early mornings and move over to BBC Breakfast? He’s at 4/1 odds.
Matt Baker
Baker has been on the BBC since 2003 (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Matt is one of the biggest presenting names in the country, having shown his talents across several different flagship shows, including Blue Peter, Countryfile and The One Show.
He left the latter role back in spring 2020, after nearly a decade and continues to appear elsewhere on BBC including commentating on last year’s Olympic coverage in Tokyo.
Baker is at 8/1 odds, and Apati said: ‘Matt Baker could be set for a swift return to our screens if the latest odds are anything to go by.’
Victoria Coren Mitchell
We’re sure she’d get right to the heart of the issues that matter (Picture: BBC/Hat Trick)
Coren Mitchell has put the nation’s brains to the test in Only Connect since 2008, and is a regular on panel shows such as Would I Lie To You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats.
The journalist – and professional poker player – has hosted Have I Got News For You on several occasions over the years, making her thoughts on the UK government and more very clear.
We’re sure she’d waste no time giving politicians a right grilling on the BBC Breakfast sofa – she’s at 10/1 odds.
Vernon Kay
Could Kay make a move to the BBC? (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Also coming in at 10/1 odds, Kay has worked as a relief presenter on This Morning and The One Show as well as regularly featuring in the hosting line-up of events such as Comic Relief.
More: BBC
In 2020, Kay appeared on the twentieth series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, finishing in third place, behind Jordan North and the eventual Queen of the Castle, Giovanna Fletcher.
He’s one of the most experienced of the lot – but could he be the latest to take on the job?
BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One.
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