DAN WALKER TO JOIN CHANNEL 5

Dan Walker joins Channel 5 to present its flagship news bulletin 5 News as well as fronting a range of new programming on the channel

London 4th April 2022: Channel 5 announced today that leading broadcaster Dan Walker is joining Channel 5 as presenter of the flagship news programme, 5 News. The move will also see him present a slate of new shows on the channel.  

Dan is leaving his role on BBC Breakfast to join the team at 5 News to become lead anchor of the recently re-launched hour-long 5pm bulletin. He will also have an expanded role that will see him become a familiar face across the channel. His distinguished career in news and broadcasting has seen him cover major breaking news stories, international sporting events and conduct high profile interviews. 

Dan joins Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije who co-presents 5 News which is produced by ITN.  The arrival of Dan Walker on the channel continues the evolution of the news on Channel 5. With up to 5.2 million viewers tuning in every week, 5 News plays an important part in the UK's media landscape. 5 News provides a unique perspective on the day's stories, delivering a greater depth of analysis to a teatime audience from around the UK. 

As well as 5 News anchor, Dan’s role will include fronting a range of brand-new non-news programming for Channel 5. 

Ben Frow, Director of Content for Paramount UK said: “Dan Walker joining the Channel shows that Channel 5 attracts leading talent. Dan is a renowned broadcaster and we’re looking forward to seeing him not just fronting 5 News but bringing his experience to programming across Channel 5 as we continue to develop and grow our output.” 

Dan Walker said: “I can't wait to get stuck into the daily news show, but I am also excited about making some great new TV for Channel 5. I love their ideas and creativity and it’s rare to get an opportunity like this where paths and ambitions meet. The chance to do something different was too good to turn down.” 

Daniel Pearl, Commissioning Editor, Unscripted, at Channel 5 (VP) said: “We’re delighted that Dan Walker is joining the fantastic team at 5 News, as an anchor he will be instrumental in the success of Channel 5’s News output as it continues to grow and evolve.” 

5 News re-launched in November and has been welcomed by viewers for its original journalism with a strong regional focus that puts the audience at the heart of the story. 

Editor of 5 News, Cait FitzSimons said: “I’m hugely excited about Dan’s decision to join 5 News. We pride ourselves on the deep connection we have with our viewers across the country, and this is a key strength of Dan’s, helping secure his place as one of Britain’s best and most popular broadcasters. I look forward to working with him to build on the success of our new hour-long programme and finding more ways to tell stories that touch viewers’ lives across the nation.”   

Dan Walker will replace Dr Sian Williams as lead anchor. Sian has presented 5 News since 2016 and announced in March that she would be stepping down from daily news presenting to take up more wide-ranging opportunities while continuing to host her regular strand Mind Matters with Dr Sian for 5 News as well as special projects and documentaries for the channel and ITN. 

5 News is produced by ITN led by Cait FitzSimons as Editor and airs weekdays from 5pm- 6pm on Channel 5. 

 PRESS CONTACT: Ben Sawyers: Ben.Sawyers@vimn.com TEL: 07977 058532