'This feels like a break-up' - Sheffield's BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker reacts to departure of Louise Minchin

The Sheffield presenter paid tribute to his colleague after she announced this morning that she would be leaving the show.

Responding to her announcement, he tweeted: “As with everything she does... Louise announces her departure from the show with dignity and class.

“We will all miss her enormously at #BBCBreakfast.

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“She is not only wonderful at her job... she is a great friend.

“Enjoy your lie-ins."

He added: “This feels like a break-up. What am I going to do without Louise?

“Thank you for all the lovely messages after an emotional morning on #BBCBreakfast - I’m sure Louise will get to read them all later.

“My life will be poorer without her on the sofa. She’s the best.”

Revealing her departure this morning, Louise said it would be 20 years this year since she first presented the programme and she had felt part of a ‘huge, enormous BBC Breakfast family’ throughout that time.

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"I’ve loved being part of it but I’ve decided it’s time that I stop setting my alarm at 3.40, sometimes when I’m feeling really rebellious 3.46 in the morning, and I’m going to be leaving the programme,” she added.

“It’s not going to be for a while. Before anything else I wanted to thank everybody who’s watching for your loyalty and your support over all those years. I’ve absolutely loved being part of it. I will really miss it but it’s time now to stop that alarm early in the morning.”