BBC Breakfast presenter Rachel Burden has confirmed her departure from the show after more than a decade on the sofa.
Her exit comes as part of wider changes at the broadcaster following recently announced budget cuts, with the BBC planning to save £500 million over the next two years.
Burden, who first joined BBC Breakfast in 2015, has served as a regular presence on Sunday mornings for more than 10 years.
Rachel Burden confirms departure from BBC Breakfast
On Instagram, she wrote: "This is my last Sunday on the @bbcbreakfast sofa before the schedule changes in September – no complaints there, we have to cut our cloth.
"But having done this for 10+ years, just wanted to say a massive thanks to the team who’ve worked through their Saturday nights to put the programme together, my Breakfast buddies Roger and @benthompsontv (among other lovely fellas who I’ve shared the sofa with) and of course the divine @fieldsofpoppys who puts me together most weeks.
"Thanks for watching.
"Here’s to a guaranteed Sunday lie-in."
Her departure comes as the BBC implements an £80 million reduction in content spending, with Sunday editions of BBC Breakfast among the programming affected.
BBC director-general Matt Brittin, who took up the role in May, announced last month that 550 of the planned 1,800–2,000 job cuts will come from BBC News and related television and radio roles.
He said: "The scale of savings requires tough choices, careful work and won’t all be ready at once.
"We are committed to letting you know as soon as we have plans in your area.
"All divisions will be making significant savings… We live in very uncertain times.
"Making savings while fulfilling our mission means a doubly difficult time for everyone.
"Do speak to your leaders and use the support that’s available.
"In the meantime, thank you for all you are doing."
The BBC is also reviewing its TV channel and radio network portfolio as more audiences shift to online platforms.
The broadcaster has not yet confirmed which other programmes may be cut under the new budget.
Philippa Childs, head of the media and entertainment union Bectu, raised concerns about the timing of the cuts in relation to the BBC’s upcoming charter renewal.
She said: "I’m not sure how you can make informed decisions about the long-term future of the organisation when it will be in a substantially diminished place at the end of the process than the beginning.
"In an era of fake news and an industry that is becoming more concentrated in the hands of a few multinational corporations, the UK needs a confident, ambitious and sustainably-funded BBC more than ever.
"It seems clear that cuts will have a direct impact on programming and output, and audiences will also notice the effects."
Rachel Burden began her journalism career at BBC Radio Suffolk before moving to BBC Radio Bristol.
She joined Radio 5 Live in 2003, taking over the weekday breakfast show in May 2011 alongside Nicky Campbell.
She started presenting on BBC Breakfast in 2015, primarily covering Sundays and stepping in for main presenters during holidays or absences.
Cathy Sweet, head of TV and film at Equity, said previously: "These are devastating cuts that will be felt across the creative industries and risk BBC audiences and our nation being poorer, with the BBC unable to live up to its aim to inform, educate and entertain."
Will you miss seeing Rachel Burden on BBC Breakfast? Let us know in the comments.
