BBC Breakfast's Sunday edition has been replaced by BBC News in the early-morning slot, following farewells from presenters Luxmy Gopal and Rachel Burden. Luxmy presented her final Sunday programme earlier this month, marking five years since her first Sunday appearance.
Presenter tributes
Taking to social media, Luxmy wrote: "To misquote The Kinks: thank you for the Sundays! Today was my last Sunday BBC Breakfast, 5 years after my first." She added: "So grateful to an unfailingly kind team, and supportive viewers, figuratively letting me into their living rooms that time of the morning."
Fans responded with messages of support, including one who wrote, "Sunday mornings never be the same without you sunshine," and another who said, "You will be greatly missed, Luxmy. Hope to see you on our screens again soon." A colleague commented, "Always a joy working with you on BBC London and Breakfast! Thank you for all the quality biscuits you brought into the newsroom, massive appreciation from overnight/morning crew in Salford. You made 4am Sunday starts a whole load of fun x."
Rachel Burden's farewell
Rachel's final Sunday edition came in July, when she paid tribute to the team working overnight. 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." She thanked "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." She signed off: "Thanks for watching. Here's to a guaranteed Sunday lie-in."
Schedule changes
The farewells relate to the presenters' Sunday editions, not departures from BBC Breakfast overall. BBC News now occupies the Sunday 6am-to-9am slot, followed by Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. The BBC announced in June that BBC Breakfast would be removed from Sunday schedules as part of wider restructuring, with director general Matt Brittin unveiling plans to cut around £80 million from commissioning spend in 2027–28.
Other changes include Radio 4's The World Tonight ending in September and being replaced by Newshour. The permanent Today presenting team will shrink from five to four, with a single presenter on Saturdays. BBC Breakfast continues to air daily from 6am on BBC One.
