Nicky Campbell is to leave BBC Radio 5 Live's 'Breakfast' show after nearly 20 years.
Nicky Campbell
The 60-year-old TV and radio presenter admitted it is "really tough" to be departing the programme - which he has hosted since January 2003 - and his co-presenter Rachel Burden, but he is looking forward to some more sleep after waking up at 4am for the past 18-and-a-half years.
He said: "Leaving 'Breakfast' is really tough after so many unforgettable programmes with Rachel and the team, but I’ve been getting up at 4am for 19 years now so it’s time I had a bit more sleep!"
But Nicky will remain on the radio station, presenting a brand-new programme based on his current one-hour 'Your Call' phone-in, which is currently part of 'Breakfast'.
The new standalone show will run from 9am-11am every weekday and it will launch later this year.
He said: "It’s why I love 5 Live - hearing from listeners and talking to people about what really does matter to them and their communities. It’s a constant privilege hearing people’s passion, candour, anger and raw honesty. Our listeners make me listen. They make me think, laugh and cry. I can’t wait for this to start."
Rachel - who Nicky has co-hosted with for 10 years - wrote on Twitter: "End of an era. [tearful emoji] Beginning of a new one. And the show must go on."
Heidi Dawson, Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, added: "Nicky is the master of radio phone-in broadcasting. The last year with the pandemic has shown just how deep Nicky’s connection is with our listeners across the UK.
"They have opened up to him about every detail of their lives through this difficult time. We want to give our audience more time on air and Nicky is the perfect presenter to enable that conversation.
"So it’s exciting he’ll launch this new show for us, giving him more time to do what he does best.
"Hearing from people right across the UK is what 5 Live is all about; alongside the latest news, the best sports coverage, and entertaining conversation."
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