BBC broadcasting legend Rachel Burden has confirmed she will step away from her breakfast show after 15 years. While she is best recognised as one of BBC Breakfast's weekend presenters, the journalist also hosted the BBC Radio 5 Live weekday breakfast show since 2011. After a major stationwide shake-up, Rachel took to Instagram with a lengthy statement confirming her departure from the morning airwaves. Alongside a selfie from the studio, the 51-year-old wrote: "I am incredibly lucky. For the last 15 years I have woken up every morning and gone to work to do a job I love with a team of people who are talented and funny and kind. I can count on one hand the number of days I didn’t want to be there. Every day is different.

"I’ve gone to places around the world I would never have dreamed of travelling to, talked to extraordinary people, witnessed events that have shaped history. I actively look forward to going back to work after a holiday (my husband thinks I’m weird)," Rachel added: "And I have got to partner up with two people who have changed my lives - @nickyaacampbell - my mentor and broadcasting inspiration, and @rickedwards1 - who taught me you could put a Pringles lid on a gu pot."

However, the presenter added: "But I can’t do this job forever. At some stage, we all need to push ourselves off our butts, however lovely and comfy the seat, and change things up, do something new.

"So, my time on 5live breakfast - along with Rick - will be drawing to a close at the end of the year. My luck hasn’t run out - I get to stay at 5live and start a new show on my own in 2027, taking up the 11-2 slot on weekdays."

As a result of the shake-up, BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty will replace her as the new co-presenter of 5 Live Breakfast, taking on the morning programme five days a week from January 2027.

In her statement, Rachel praised her successor, adding: "@tvnaga is going to be brilliant in the mornings. She has the energy and the passion, and love for the 5live audience to make the breakfast show her own, alongside her new co-presenter (tbc!)

"For now, it’s business as usual for me and Rick and my marmalade toast… so don’t abandon us. I don’t really want to think too much about how I’ll function on the radio without my clever, funny faithful idiot friend beside me every morning. But May has offered herself up as replacement."

Longtime listeners were left heartbroken by the news, as one shocked fan commented: "Waaaaaaaaah! How am I going to manage in the mornings without you and @rickedwards1 bickering like siblings to make me laugh. You will both be dreadfully missed."

"Sorry, you’ll be moving on. You’ve been a part of my working day routine for years on the radio," said another devastated listener.

A third shared: "So sad to hear you are leaving the breakfast show but pleased I will still hear you on 5 live. Good luck with your move to Devon. X"

As another fan echoed: "Mornings are absolutely banging when you and Rick are on. Top quality sensible everyday chat, with cutting an edge when needed. Sorry to see the team splitting up. But 11-2 will deffo be tuned to 5live come the new year."

While Rachel will move to present the weekday mid-morning programme, Monday to Wednesday, 11-2pm, Rick, will continue to be a familiar voice on 5 Live, fronting Fighting Talk on Saturday mornings and remaining a key part of the station's output.