The BBC Breakfast presenter has announced that he is leaving his role for 29 295,000 a year to become a presenter on 5 News, following the departure of Andrew Marr, Jon Sopel and Emily Maitlis. The exit comes amid wage cuts at the BBC, insiders said, and efforts to limit the “moon” by asking the stars to declare earnings from paid work outside the broadcaster. It has been suggested that big talents facing pay cuts of up to 10 per cent may be disappointed because they have to reveal how to boost their incomes outside the BBC. Walker, a former Football Focus presenter, was included in the first register of staff earnings from external commitments last year, along with Marr and Maitlis.
A more “custom” role
It is understood that he will have a more “custom” role on Channel 5 and is encouraged to help promote and create new programs. The channel said that it can expect presenter roles in a “new show plate”. Walker said that “the opportunity to do something different was too good to be true”, adding: “I love their ideas and creativity and it is rare to have an opportunity like this where paths and ambitions meet.” He will continue his role as BBC Breakfast in the short term, with a departure date not yet announced by the BBC. A source at the company said: “People are coming, people are leaving, but we have a lot of existing talent and new and emerging stars, and there is always a natural point where people are moving forward.” Richard Frediani, editor of BBC Breakfast, said Walker had been “a brilliant part of the BBC Breakfast team for over six years”.
