BBC Breakfast viewers expressed their delight and issued calls for a permanent return after a beloved presenter made a surprise comeback to the famous red sofa following months away.
A Warm Welcome Back to the Sofa
The long-running morning programme, which features a regular roster of anchors, saw a familiar and much-missed face on Tuesday, 30th December. Nina Warhurst, 45, who left the show earlier in the year, returned to host alongside Ben Thompson, covering stories including the King's New Year Honours, which recognised figures like Idris Elba and Torvill & Dean.
Fans quickly took to social media platform X to share their joy at seeing Warhurst back in her former role. One viewer wrote, 'SO nice to have Nina back on the sofa. She's so natural with people and a true pro. You've been missed.' Another directly appealed to the BBC, stating, 'Good to see @NinaWarhurst back on the sofa. Bring her back full-time. #bbcbreakfast.' A third simply commented on the pleasant change, noting, 'Nice to see Nina for a change this morning.'
A New Chapter at News At One
The enthusiastic reaction underscores the presenter's popularity, which made her departure from BBC Breakfast in March notable. Warhurst, who first joined the Breakfast team as a freelancer in 2016, announced a move to BBC News At One. Sharing the news via a post from the programme's editor, Richard Frediani, she wrote at the time, 'Hanging up the high-viz & hairnet as I join the BBC’s News At One.'
She praised her former London team and expressed pride in joining the Salford-based team taking the programme forward, adding a heartfelt note about her younger self's dreams. Frediani's tweet welcomed her as a 'brilliant addition to the team in Salford.' Her fans were supportive of the career move, with messages congratulating her while also expressing how much she would be missed on the morning show.
A Poignant Personal Tribute
Earlier in December, Warhurst shared a moving personal reflection as she prepared for her first Christmas without her father, Chris, who passed away in July 2025, three years after a dementia diagnosis. On Instagram, she posted, 'I am missing my Dad as we head to our first Christmas without him. Something is missing in the world and it hurts.'
She accompanied the post with a touching email from her father's former neighbour, which described him as a warm, reliable, and wise gentleman. Warhurst reflected on these 'quiet and steady characteristics' and the profound meaning of small, everyday gestures. The post included literary quotes that resonated with her feelings, ending with the neighbour's simple yet powerful tribute: 'He was a fantastic man.'
The overwhelming positive response to her brief return to BBC Breakfast highlights the strong connection Warhurst has built with the audience, leaving many hoping to see her back on the red sofa more often in the future.
