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Simon Duke

BBC Breakfast's Jon Kay absent from 'official' debut as new presenter due to Covid

It was meant to be the start of a new era for him and the show, but Jon Kay was absent from his first day as BBC Breakfast's new full time presenter after Covid threw a huge spanner in the works.

As soon as long-serving host Dan Walker announced he was quitting the BBC earlier this year, speculation was rife on who would step into his shoes, just months after Louise Minchin quit the channel and Sally Minchin replaced her. And then when Dan quit last month to head to a new job on Channel 5, bookies opened the betting on who would be successor.

Jon's name was right at the top of the odds, particularly after show bosses made him Dan's immediate replacement and then last weekj it was confirmed that he hand landed the job on a permanent basis. Jon was all set to make his 'official' debut on Monday, July 11, however Covid had other ideas, with Jon breaking the news that he'd tested positive on Sunday night.

READ MORE: Adam Collard confirmed for bombshell return to Love Island

Taking to Twitter, he told his growing number of followers he was "gutted" to have to skip his first day.

He tweeted a photo snap of his positive lateral flow test, alongside the caption: "Aaaagh! Finally got me. Gutted not to be able to start the new job officially @BBCBreakfast on Monday."

Jon even floated the idea of presenting BBC Breakfast from home to the programme's producer Richard Freidani, adding: ."...guess working from home isn’t really an option @BBCFrediani?"

Speaking last week about landing the full time breakfast role on the BBC, Jon commented: "I’m over the moon to become the new regular presenter of BBC Breakfast and I’m looking forward to bringing our brilliant viewers the very latest news each morning alongside my good friend Sally and the rest of the team.

"Sitting on the famous red sofa is a real privilege while covering the stories and issues that matter to our audience – home and abroad."

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