Nicky Campbell tearful as he says goodbye to BBC Radio 5 Live 'Breakfast Show'

Nicky Campbell fought back tears as he said goodbye to co-host Rachel Burden before leaving the BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast Show.

The presenter announced this summer that he was leaving the programme after fronting it since 2003 and that he would be hosting a show in a different time slot.

But he was overcome with emotion as he told Burden what a great friend and colleague she had been.

"You've been such an amazing friend," he said, becoming tearful and pausing before telling his co-host to “say something” to fill the gap.

"There have been times when I've come in here and things have been terrible in my life, and I have said, 'You're going to have to do this today', and you've done it."

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Campbell also praised Burden for never forgetting that he is 5ft 11 “and three quarters”, saying she knows what matters to him.

Burden – who has worked with Campbell for the last 10 years - said: “As we have always said, Nicky, we are there to paper over the cracks for each other.

"And we've just about done that.

“Sometimes the cracks slightly burst through but I have loved every single minute of it and I am going to miss you hugely."

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Announcing his exit earlier this year, the presenter said: “Leaving Breakfast is really tough after so many unforgettable programmes with Rachel and the team, but I’ve been getting up at four am for 19 years now so it’s time I had a bit more sleep!”

Former T4 presenter Rick Edwards will take over from Campbell on the Breakfast Show.

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