Sally Nugent has been unveiled as the new presenter of BBC Breakfast who will replace Louise Minchin.
Sources on the set of the Salford-based show have told the Mirror the 50-year-old has been chosen to front the show Monday-Wednesdays alongside Dan Walker having filled in Minchin’s position for the majority of shows since she left.
Nugent recently accepted the job and the news was made official today.
Nugent has been working on BBC Breakfast for nearly a decade, primarily working on sports news and interviews.
But her scope of work has grown and in February she won Scoop of the Year at the Royal Television Society Television Journalism Awards 2021 for the show’s coverage of Free School Meals. This included a series of exclusive interviews Nugent landed with Marcus Rashford.
One source said: “Sally has done some fantastic work and brilliant interviews in the last couple of years so she was the obvious choice. She has already worked with Dan too so we hope their chemistry will grow and grow.”
The BBC did advertise Minchin’s job position of ‘Chief presenter’ and invited applications until September 12.
The advert said the candidate would “work with Dan Walker, Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt on the UK’s most watched morning show”.
Louise Minchin left the show in mid-September after working on BBC Breakfast for almost 20 years.
In a speech at the end of her final show she said: “I feel proud, it's been a privilege to sit here on the red sofa and report on our shared history. You've made me feel welcome in your homes, welcome in your hearts.”
BBC Breakfast has up to six million viewers every morning and combines news, sport, business and entertainment with real life stories.
It says its role is to “inform and entertain viewers with everything they need for the day ahead”.
After news of her new job broke, Nugent, 50, said: "I’m absolutely thrilled to become the new presenter of BBC Breakfast and bring the nation the latest news, top entertainment guests and stories that matter every week. It’s an honour to take the reins from Louise and be part of the UK’s most watched breakfast show."
BBC Breakfast Editor, Richard Frediani added: "Sally has an impressive track record as an award winning broadcast journalist and has secured a series of high profile exclusive interviews in recent years.
"We are delighted to have her take her new permanent place in the studio alongside Dan, Charlie and Naga."
