BBC Breakfast star Jon Kay has paid an emotional tribute to his co-star Nina Warhurst after she quit the show.
After seven years on the early morning show, Warhurst recently confirmed she’s moving over to present on BBC’s News at One.
Co-star Kay, who joined BBC Breakfast as a regular presenter in 2022, shared several shots on his Instagram page with Warhurst in the studio including a beaming snap on the red sofa with Sally Nugent.
Other pics show Sally manning a camera, and smiling while holding a huge bouquet of flowers.
In the caption, Kay wrote: "This was definitely NOT goodbye - but today was Nina’s last shift doing the Money & Work job on Breakfast before she starts her new role presenting the BBC One O’Clock News.
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"She’ll still be based in Salford - still working with the same team in the same studio. She’ll still be presenting Breakfast with us sometimes. And she’ll always be a mate.
"But I just wanted to say what a pleasure it has been to work with her since I joined Brekkie."
He called Nina "one of the most talented, dedicated, versatile, fun and fearless people" he knows, adding that she "commits 100% to any story or issue she’s covering". "She always puts the audience first. And she’s exactly the same off-air as she is on the sofa.
"Much as we’ll miss her energy and smiles at 0445, we’re all delighted for her that she can now have a little more sleep - and a bit more time at home with her wonderful family in the mornings. She’ll be amazing at lunchtime x."
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Warhurst replied in the comments: "Jon you made me cry !! Thank you so much xxx 🥹 And so kind of @teddysphotos to find the time to write a song to mark this historic day ❤️❤️❤️."
The presenter announced her decision to leave the show earlier last month, reflecting on her career in a touching Instagram post: “I’ll be hanging up the high-viz and hairnet for a wee while as I join the BBC’s News at One.
"I was heavily pregnant, very nervous, and unbelievably excited to be offered a few shifts on the national broadcast treasure that is @bbcbreakfast.
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"The job was made permanent as we came out of a lockdown and began looking around and wondering how we might pick up the pieces to heal and live again."
She added that it had been "a privilege to help support" audiences through the difficult COVID period and is "always amazed by those who invite us in to share their stories".
Nina continued: "When I was a teenager hoping to work in journalism, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine there’d be all these opportunities half a mile from my Salford home.
"Our London colleagues built a gem of a lunchtime programme and I can’t wait to work with our amazing team as we take it forward."
BBC Breakfast airs every day from 6am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
