Dan Walker breaks silence on being ‘shackled at BBC Breakfast’ after move to Channel 5
DAN Walker has broken his silence on being “shackled at the BBC” before moving to Channel 5.
The 45-year-old opened up about what he is enjoying about new gig after presenting BBC Breakfast for six years.
Former BBC Breakfast frontman Dan Walker defected to Channel 5[/caption] Dan presents alongside Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije on 5 News[/caption]In his new role, Dan is the face of the channel’s flagship news programme, 5 News, which he presents weekdays at 5pm.
He confessed that what he “really loves” about Channel 5 is that his work is done “with a bit of feeling and connect with our audience in a way maybe other programmes struggle to do”.
When asked whether this is different from the way he presented for BBC, he told Radio Times: “I think that’s always been my style, rightly or wrongly.
“There’s a perception that you’re really shackled at the BBC and you can’t be yourself, but I’ve never been told I can’t say something.”
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However, he added that Channel 5 does have “a bit more flexibility” which Dan admits he is “enjoying”.
Dan’s comments come after it was revealed that his move to Channel 5 has failed to boost the show’s viewing figures.
He first joined 5 News on June 6 and his debut saw 390,000 viewers tune in.
Since then, the total has almost halved to 203,000 and one hour-long bulletin received just 189,000 before settling in at 230,000.
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Following his first day earlier this month, Dan boasted that the show’s figures had been boosted by 70 percent of its usual amount.
After six years with the BBC, Dan announced he was leaving, with his permanent replacement still yet to be announced.
As well as regularly appearing alongside Sally Nugent, Jon has now been included in the BBC Breakfast official Twitter header picture with Sally, Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt.
Last week, The BBC confirmed that they are still looking for Dan’s replacement, which will be announced in due course.
Dan presented BBC Breakfast Monday to Wednesday alongside Sally Nugent[/caption]