BBC Breakfast host Rachel Burden signs off final programme after becoming latest victim of £500m cuts

By ALEX DOYLE - SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER Published: 16:41, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 16:45, 13 July 2026 BBC Breakfast presenter Rachel Burden is the latest star to feel the burden of the Corporation’s cuts as she signed off her final programme on Sunday. The newsreader, 51, who has presented the long-running show for the past 11 years, revealed to viewers she has now left after bosses’ decision to drop the Sunday episode. It was previously announced BBC News would air in place of BBC Breakfast from September as the broadcaster looks to save £500million and plans to axe up to 2,000 jobs across the organisation. Ms Burden shared on social media: ‘This is my last Sunday on the @bbcbreakfast sofa before the schedule changes in September - no complaints there, we have to cut our cloth. ‘But having done this for 10+ years, I just wanted to say a massive thanks to the team who've worked through their Saturday nights to put the programme together.’ The mother-of-four, who has been the host of BBC Radio 5 Live’s breakfast show since 2011, said she now has a ‘guaranteed Sunday lie-in’. The mother-of-four, who has been the host of BBC Radio 5 Live’s breakfast show since 2011, said she now has a ‘guaranteed Sunday lie-in’ Ms Burden had most recently hosted BBC Breakfast on rotation with Ben Thompson (pictured) and Roger Johnson who formed part of its Sunday lineup Ms Burden, the daughter of BBC journalist Paul Burden, first joined the organisation as a reporter for BBC Radio Suffolk before making her debut on Radio 5 Live in 2003 - the day before her father retired. She had most recently hosted BBC Breakfast on rotation with Ben Thompson and Roger Johnson who formed part of its Sunday lineup. Its weekday anchors Jon Kay, Sally Nugent, Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty are not believed to be affected by the changes. Among the other casualties of the drastic cuts is Chris Packham’s Winterwatch, which has been axed after 13 years. It was announced earlier this month how the spin-off to Springwatch would not return in a blow to the activist, 65. New BBC director general Matt Brittin announced the cost-cutting measures days into his tenure, which includes staple Radio 4 shows such as The World Tonight and Midnight News coming off air. The Mail on Sunday recently revealed how the cuts will go much deeper, which could see the station along with Radio 3 and BBC Scotland closed down. The corporation's budget has lost £1.3billion over the past decade and is under pressure as growing numbers of viewers refuse to pay the £180 licence fee. Brittin has responded by promising to protect content on digital channels and platforms 'as audiences move online'. Between 100 to 150 hours of originated programmes across all commissioning genres will also be slashed. It is hoped that the cuts affecting BBC News, television and radio will contribute around £160million towards its overall savings target.