Dan Walker was embroiled in controversy last week, as the BBC upheld a complaint against his BBC Breakfast co-presenter Naga Munchetty for going beyond “impartiality guidelines” in expressing her views against Donald Trump. David Jordan, the BBC director of editorial policy and standards, said Walker “led” Naga to concluding the US President made commends “embedded in racism”. He said on Friday: “It could be said that Dan Walker kind of led Naga Munchetty to the conclusion that she eventually made.” Walker once revealed his wife feared “disaster” when he took the BBC Breakfast role.
Dan Walker joined BBC Breakfast in 2016, replacing long-time presenter Bill Turnbull.
His move to the show followed BBC 5 Live’s Afternoon Edition and several placements as a BBC Sport reporter.
When he took up presenting for BBC Breakfast, Dan traded his afternoon slots for a 6am air time.
According to an unearthed interview, his wife Sarah initially feared this change would cause “disaster” for their family.
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Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Dan said: “She thought it was going to be a disaster, me getting up that early, turning into a zombie.
“We’ve got a dog and three kids, so if I slammed the door at 3.30am saying, ‘Bye everyone,’ it wouldn’t work.”
However, Dan found the change worked to his gain, allowing him to spend more time with his family.
The presenter added the early hours were one of the reasons he took the job in the first place.
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He added: “One of the major reasons I took the job is it gives me more time at home.
“Most days I can be home by 11am, which means I can do the school run.”
Dan credits Sarah, his wife of 18 years, for sparking his broadcasting career.
Speaking in the same interview, the presenter said Sarah gave him his “big break” in broadcast.
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Dan explained: “She used to work in a bakery in Sheffield when Hallam FM launched a Commentator of the Year competition.
“She brought home a sandwich bag with the number of Hallam FM to ring.
“And that was my big break.”
Before he started presenting, Dan said he was exploring a future career as a teacher.
