Who is replacing Louise Minchin on BBC Breakfast? Possible replacements explained as she prepares to leave

BBC Breakfast will be shaking up it’s morning routine in the near future, as long-serving presenter Louise Minchin is set to leave.

Viewers have been waking up to Minchin for almost twenty years, but the 52 year old announced in June that she would be turning off her 3.40 am alarm and leaving the show.

On Twitter, she wrote: “I have absolutely loved being part of the six million strong BBC Breakfast family but after nearly two decades presenting the programme, I have decided it is time I stopped setting my alarm for 0340 in the morning.

"A big thank you to everyone who has watched and supported me, I have loved it and I will miss you all.”

So, who could be her replacement and when does she leave? This is what we know so far.

When does Louise Minchin leave BBC breakfast?

Louise has now departed from BBC Breakfast , her final show was on Thursday, 16 September.

When she returned to the show in late August after a short staycation, she told co-host Dan Walker she was “planning some really long swims,” adding: “and getting back to running, as well, because you know I had my injury last year, I’m still going back to trying to get running, back to marathons.”

She has not confirmed where she will work next, but did say of BBC Breakfast: “I’m absolutely, 100% [on the decision]. I know it’s the right thing for me to do.

“Of course, there’s a huge amount of nerves etc, I’m having the most extraordinarily vivid anxiety dreams which are keeping me awake. They’re unpublishable.”

Sally Nugent

Viewers have been quick to assume Sally Nugent could be the next female lead on the show, as she has stepped in for Minchin on numerous occasions.

Sally Nugent presented the show in August, while Minchin enjoyed some time off, and has been a journalist with the BBC for 15 years.

Nugent recently received two nominations for the NTAs (National Television Awards) and is a regular presenter of the BBC’s sports bulletins.

Eamonn Holmes

Holmes is currently a presenter on This Morning, alongside wife Ruth Langford.

He is well known for presenting morning television, first making an appearance on GMTV in the 90s before working for Sky.

While he hasn’t made any references to moving from ITV, distance does make the heart grow fonder and Ruth might like a break too.

Alex Jones

While she may just have gone off on maternity leave to give birth to baby number three, Jones could be in the running as a long-term presenter on the show.

There is no date for Minchin’s departure and Jones has been a BBC loyal since she began presenting The One Show, ten years ago.

Jones is well liked among viewers and the format of The One Show could allow for an easy transition onto BBC Breakfast.

However, one would imagine she would not be returning to work until after Christmas - could a guest host be drafted in between Minchin leaving and Jones returning to work?

Christine Lampard

Lampard is a safe option when it comes to TV presenting and formerly worked for the BBC on The One Show.

The 42 year old left the BBC to follow her co-presenter Adrian Chiles to present the broadcaster’s Daybreak.

Since then, she has presented various other shows and appeared as a regular guest panellist on Loose Women.

Currently, she is standing in for Lorraine Kelly on her ITV daytime slot.

What will Minchin do after BBC Breakfast?

Minchin said she plans to recover from twenty years of early mornings, but she has confirmed she will be keeping fit as she enjoys marathon running and swimming.

Announcing her exit from the show, she said: “Anybody who watches will be very well aware my passion is endurance sport, and I will absolutely continue to do that. I’ve got lots of really exciting adventures planned. I’m trying to write a book about that as well.

“And I’ll continue with my podcast, which is all about the mental and physical benefits of sport and exercise.

And I’ll have lots of lie-ins. That’s what I’m most excited about right now.”

However, she did add on her final day that she will be working on a show about the impact of menopause on women.

BBC Breakfast airs weekdays, 6am until 9am, with Dan Walker, Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt.

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