Sally Nugent has been named as the new BBC Breakfast permanent presenter, replacing Louise Minchin.
The 50-year old journalist and newsreader will be appearing on the flagship morning program from Monday through Wednesday, alongside Dan Walker and Naga Munchetty, and Charlie Stayt.
Since November 2011, she has been working as a freelancer for BBC Breakfast’s regular hosts. She also presents its sports bulletins.
She stated, “I’m absolutely thrilled that I’m the new presenter for BBC Breakfast and bring the nation top entertainment guests and the latest news every week.”
“It’s an honour taking the reins from Louise, and being part of the UK’s most-watched breakfast program.”
Sally Nugent has been confirmed to be the new BBC Breakfast co-presenter, replacing Louise Minchin
Minchin, 53, announced that Minchin would be stepping down from the show in June, after nearly 20 year of being on it.
Nugent was born in Birkenhead. She began her career at BBC Radio Merseyside, and previously worked at BBC North West Tonight.
She made headlines in November 2016 after Victoria Fritz, a business presenter, helped her when she went into labor at Salford studios.
In 2017, presenter Louise Minchin disappeared from BBC Breakfast mid-show after suddenly being taken ill, with Nugent stepping in.
Nugent had to also step in when Susanna Reid, Good Morning Britain’s presenter, quit BBC Breakfast in 2014 to join ITV. She was temporarily ineffective while she searched for a permanent replacement.
Walker, who is competing on Strictly Come Dancing’s, described his new host in a tweet as a brilliant presenter’, and a ‘great friend’.
He said, “I am so happy to be a part of @sallynugent. She is a brilliant presenter, hugely popular with the team and an excellent journalist. She is also a great friend.
‘Hopefully we’ll have many happy years on the £BBCBreakfast sofa together. Oh… and she’s coming to £Strictly this weekend.’
Nugent is a very private person. She has not revealed the name her husband, with whom she has a son. However, she has an active Instagram account that she shares photos of her gorgeous home with fans.
Nugent was born in Birkenhead and began her career at BBC Radio Merseyside. She also worked previously at BBC North West Tonight, BBC News and BBC News.
The presenter also posts photos of her dog, a Cavapoo named Sadie (pictured)
Minchin, 53 years old, announced that she would be leaving the show in June after nearly 20 years.
She first appeared on the broadcaster’s flagship morning show in 2001. In 2012, she moved with its red sofa to Media City, Salford, as a lead presenter.
Minchin was joined in September by her husband David, father Patrick, and celebrity friends.
In September, she spoke out about why she was leaving.
She explained: ‘In December I’d taken three, four weeks off work because of an ankle operation and I had that period to realise that when I’m not getting up at 3:40am in the morning, I’m doing all sorts of things in the evening that I want to be doing – like just watching telly with my family, doing that kind of family stuff.
“So yeah, it was coming out winter into this period that I made the decision.
She also revealed the lockdown period had made her acknowledge her natural body clock, as she mused: ‘It made me realise that actually I particularly really struggle with the hours… I have found them really hard.’
Louise said she was looking forward having breakfast with her family, and having a morning routine with her family after missing out on Scarlett (17) and Mia (20 (17) going to school.
She has covered many major stories over the past two decades, including Brexit, the Manchester Arena bombings and the last three general election results.
Louise also reported live from Paris on the aftermath of attacks at the Bataclan Theatre and was the frontwoman for the Wake Up To Menopause campaign.
She has interviewed many stars, including Sir David Attenborough and Kate Middleton.
She said she had ‘lots of really exciting adventures planned’ relating to her passion for endurance sport and is ‘trying to write a book about that’, while continuing with her podcast Her Spirit about the mental and physical benefits of sport and exercise.
Louise also stated that she was excited to be ‘having many lie-ins’ after leaving BBC Breakfast. This broadcast is available from 6am to 9:15am on BBC One each morning.
Richard Frediani, BBC Breakfast’s editor, stated that Sally has a strong track record as a broadcast journalist who has won numerous awards and secured exclusive interviews with high-profile personalities in recent years.
“We are delighted to have Naga take her new permanent spot in the studio along with Dan, Charlie, Naga.