Dan Walker’s media career started at University, where he graduated with an MA in Journalism Studies.

His professional career started in Radio, carrying out work experience at Sheffield’s Hallam FM, before moving to Manchester’s Key 103 as their sports commentator. His radio career didn’t stop with his TV career, and he has since presented Afternoon Edition on BBC Radio 5 Live, stood in for Aled Jones on Classic FM, and fronted the weekday breakfast classic show.

Dan made the move into television in 2003, joining Granada Television as a commentator on their Football League Review programme. In 2004, he moved to the BBC, starting with North West Tonight hosting duties – this led him to be nominated for Nations and Regions Sports Presenter or Commentator at the Royal Television Society Sports Awards in 2005. He has also hosted Match of the Day (2010-20), Final Score (2007-15), and The Premier League Show (2017).

He has become a prominent sporting presenter and commentor, and has covered everything from Wimbledon, the Open, Aintree, Ascot, The Derby, the FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games, the Rugby Six Nations, and – as of July 2024 – an impressive five Olympic Games. He was the host of BBC’s Football Focus from 2009 until 2021, when he was replaced by former footballer Alex Scott.

Dan has a reputation for being a thoughtful interviewer, and it was this sensitivity that brought him together with former footballers Gareth Southgate, Peter Crouch, Thierry Henry, Danny Rose, Jermaine Jenas, and the then Duke of Cambridge, now Prince of Wales, William to present A Royal Team Talk: Tackling Mental Health, which showed the six men having an honest conversation around men’s mental health.

As well as his sporting jobs, Dan is a familiar face on our news shows, replacing the late Bill Turnbull in 2016 as the presenter of BBC Breakfast alongside Louise Minchin and Sally Nugent. In 2022, he moved to Channel 5, where he has covered many news stories, including when former Prime Minister Boris Johnson survived a no confidence vote.

Dan has also been seen as a guest on a number of popular television shows, including the 19th series of the much-loved show, Strictly Come Dancing (2021), where he finished in fifth place. Other appearances include Celebrity Mastermind (2012), Pointless Celebrities (2012-16), A Question of Sport (2011-16), Celebrity Catchphrase (2019), Richard Osman’s House of Games (2018-21), Loose Women (2021-23), and The Weakest Link (2022).

Away from his TV and radio work, Dan has published a number of successful books, including:

– Dan Walker’s Thronkersaurus: Football’s Finest Tales (2014)

– Magic, Mud & Maradona: Cup Football’s Finest Tales (2016)

– Remarkable People: Extraordinary Stories of Everyday Lives (2021)

– Standing on the Shoulders: Incredible Heroes and How They Inspire Us (2022)

CHARITY WORK

Dan Walker often uses his public position to raise awareness for charities and good causes. In 2019, along with Shirley Ballas, Ed Balls, Anita Rani, Dani Dyer, Alexander Armstrong, Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Osi Umenyiora, Dan climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Comic Relief.

Dan very proudly hosts his own charity gold tournament, The Walker Cup, and over the years he has raised over £250,000 for The Children’s Hospital Charity.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book TV Presenter Dan Walker for your next live event.

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