BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent's absence explained as host makes career move

BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent, usually seen on the red sofa every Monday morning, made a brief appearance today to pay tribute to her close friend Rob Burrow. After sharing heartfelt posts in honour of Rob, fans were quick to offer their support.

Her absence was clarified by co-presenter Jon Kay, who disclosed that Sally will be hosting the new News at One from Salford. The midday news will be broadcast live from its new location for the first time on Monday.

Announced last year as part of the changes happening in BBC News, the move to Salford makes the News at One the first daily network TV news bulletin outside London, and it will be an hour long rather than 30 minutes.

A team of regular and well-known BBC News presenters will lead the News at One from Salford including Ben Brown, Anna Foster, Tina Daheley, Jon Kay and Sally, who will present the first edition. The programme will be extended to one hour and will include a section for regional news.

John McAndrew, director of news programmes, announced: "Moving the News at One to Salford to join BBC Breakfast delivers on our commitments to provide a news service that serves and reflects all communities across the UK and support local talent and creative economies beyond London.

"The extended bulletin will bring the best of BBC News to a daytime audience - building on the success of the current bulletin and ensuring viewers have the best BBC reporting and analysis."

Sally presented the first bulletin, although she did make an appearance on Breakfast on Monday to honour Rob Burrow.

Over the years, she has been documenting the rugby league star's struggle with MND.

Visibly moved, Sally commented: "What matters is talking about that man. We have seen him as a player, we have seen that strength. He was 5ft 5ins, but we all should have known what a powerhouse he was.

Everyone said he was too small, and he ignored them all and that is what made him so powerful. When you see him on the pitch, it is no surprise the man he was off the pitch too. He worked for his teammates, he was incredibly brave."

She further expressed: "They had been so looking forward to his retirement. They had so many plans, and what I love about Rob is he loved going to soft play with the kids. He would leave early because he wanted to be with the kids.

"That is what drove him, that is what motivated him. His family. The diagnosis came horribly quickly after he retired.

"He invited us in as his most vulnerable moments and he went on living a life. He refused to stay inside, and hide away."

BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One.