Dan Walker's heartfelt message to BBC colleague ahead of Channel 5 show

Dan Walker left a heartfelt message for his BBC colleague Sally Nugent on the day he is to begin his new life as the presenter of Channel 5’s flagship news programme.

Walker has been presenting BBC Breakfast alongside Nugent (and previously Louise Minchin) for the past six years but is leaving the programme to move to Channel 5. But before he went he left a message for Nugent on Twitter.

Posting on the social media platform, he said: “PS I still love you.” He tagged 50-year-old in the Tweet to make sure she saw it.

Read more: Dan Walker mocks Piers Morgan as he joins BBC rival ITV Good Morning Britain after exit

Walker announced his decision to leave the famous red sofa last month, citing the challenge of moving stations, and the compelling offer that Channel 5 made to the TV personality. The 45-year-old appeared on Good Morning Britain this morning to discuss his new career move and appeared to mock Piers Morgan’s now infamous storm out on the show during a discussion on Meghan Markle.

The former Football Focus presenter has said that money wasn’t a factor in his move to Channel 5, but suggested that the early mornings that presenting a breakfast show entails had taken their toll on his “brain and body”. Walker suggested his new role would allow him to spend more time with his family even though he’ll have to commute from Sheffield to London.

However, as he will be presenting the programme four days a week, he plans on spending “a couple of nights” in the capital as he seeks to get greater work-life balance.

The Match of the Day host said ahead of his new show on Channel 5: "I think getting up at three o'clock in the morning for six and a half years, it definitely does sort of take its toll on your brain and your body.