BBC Breakfast has named Jon Kay as its new regular presenter on the famous red sofa.
He replaces Dan Walker, who left the corporation in May to take up a new post as news anchor at Channel 5.
Born in Hull, Kay began his career as a trainee reporter with the BBC. He worked at local radio stations across the country including in Newcastle, before reporting for BBC Points West and becoming a senior network correspondent and presenter for BBC News.
Kay has been part of the BBC Breakfast team for over eight years and has presented a number of shows over the years including Panorama, Crimewatch and BBC Radio 5 Live Drive.
The broadcaster also announced Victoria Derbyshire will become joint lead presenter on Newsnight, a role she’ll start permanently in September.
Jon Kay said: “I’m over the moon to become the new regular presenter of BBC Breakfast and I’m looking forward to bringing our brilliant viewers the very latest news each morning alongside my good friend Sally and the rest of the team. Sitting on the famous red sofa is a real privilege while covering the stories and issues that matter to our audience – home and abroad.”
Jonathan Munro, Interim Director of BBC News, added: “It’s fantastic to be appointing two such talented presenters to start and finish the day on two of our most important news programmes.
“Jon’s a hugely experienced journalist who’s established himself as a favourite with BBC Breakfast viewers, and Victoria’s a formidable interviewer with an amazing connection to her audiences. Congratulations to both of them.”
BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani also commented: “Jon is a brilliant broadcaster who can turn his hand to hard-hitting news stories, celebrity interviews and everything in between. Already a member of the BBC Breakfast family, we are thrilled to have him join the team as a regular presenter.”
