With the BBC having fallen on hard times, its newsreaders look to be jumping ship. We recently reported on Natasha Kaplinsky’s defection to Five and now her former BBC Breakfast co-presenter Dermot Murnaghan is also saying a fond farewell to the Beeb. Dermot, who has previously worked for Channel 4 and ITN, is to join Sky News after five years at the Corporation. During this stint he has not only brought happiness to people eating their cereal with his BBC Breakfast gig, but has hosted the quiz shows Eggheads and Treasure Hunt.

On his time at the BBC, Murnaghan said: “I look back proudly and fondly at the five years on BBC Breakfast and wish the team there all the best.” Sky’s head of news, John Ryley has been talking up his new acquisition, describing Murnaghan as “one of the best broadcasters in Britain. Dermot is a first-class interviewer who handles breaking news and anchors set piece events effortlessly and intelligently.” Bye Dermot – breakfast just won’t be the same without you.

[via BBC Online]