LOUISE Minchin will be able to enjoy mornings in her stunning Chester home after she stepped away from BBC Breakfast today.
The broadcaster, 52, broke down in tears as hosted the morning show for the final time.
Louise previously revealed that she was looking forward to permanently switching off her 3.40am alarm after 20 years.
The journalist slipped into a glamorous red dress in 2017 as she invited a photographer into the family home.
A picture taken in the living room showed a large fireplace with ornate carvings, a solid wood floor and huge doors opening out onto a large green lawn.
More recent images appear to show the yellow walls have been painted grey and the flooring had been covered with carpet.
She shares the home with her Labradors Ruby and Waffle and husband David.
Earlier today Louise announced she was leaving Breakfast.
The broadcaster has reported on the biggest events and news stories of the past two decades but has decided now is the time for change.
In an emotional statement, she said: “I have absolutely loved being part of the 6 million strong BBC Breakfast family but after nearly two decades presenting the programme, I have decided it is time I stopped setting my alarm for 0340 in the morning.
“I will take so many memories with me, including reporting on the shock and anguish of the Manchester Arena bombing; starting a national conversation about Menopause; and the life-changing moment I took part in the Breakfast Christmas Cycling Challenge which inspired my ongoing passion for endurance sport, which I will continue when I leave.
“A big thank you to everyone who has watched and supported me, I have loved it and I will miss you all.”
She appeared beside Dan Walker on today’s Breakfast and took a deep breath before confirming this year will be her last on the show.
Louise first presented Breakfast in 2001 and moved with the famous red sofa to Media City in Salford as a lead presenter in 2012.
In 2019 she fronted the programme’s ground-breaking Wake Up To Menopause campaign and she took up endurance sport after competing in a BBC Breakfast Christmas cycling challenge. She has gone onto compete internationally for the GB triathlon team in her age-group.
As well as interviewing senior politicians and party leaders, she has also chatted to countless A-list celebrities such as Sir David Attenborough, the Duchess of Cambridge, Billie Eilish, Jeff Goldblum, George Clooney, and Angelina Jolie and Joanna Lumley.
BBC Breakfast Editor, Richard Frediani said: “Millions of viewers have regularly woken up with Louise for 20 years and welcomed her and BBC Breakfast into their homes.
“We will miss her brilliant journalism, good humour and boundless energy. She has been a tremendous BBC Breakfast colleague on and off screen and will always be a friend to the team.”
LAST BREAKFAST
The newsreader joked today that she was leaving to escape the gruelling early starts.
Her co-star Dan Walker kicked off her farewell by taking her outside blindfolded – to reveal a crowd gathered around her wearing masks emblazoned with her face.
She was played a video montage showing highlights from her 20 years on screen.
Louise said she was “embarrassed and humbled and tearful” by the messages.
Addressing viewers, she said: “Thank you so much for your huge support. I think particularly over the last two years as well. It’s been really tough, hasn’t it, and I’ve felt we’re all part of a story together, a shared history and it’s been amazing to be here.”
Louise added: “Some people have literally grown up watching me, as they say.
“And I feel really privileged to have been in that position and have worked here all those years.
“There have been tough days, there have been tough stories. But it’s been amazing and I’m really, genuinely touched by all those things that people have said.”
