Dan the man

Dan Walker’s week is full. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, he is presenting Breakfast on BBC1. As well as the early morning shift, that can involve filming something for the show later in the day. Thursday is in principle a quieter day but then again can involve the filming of other programmes. By Friday, he’ll have changed his focus – to preparation for Football Focus, in the studio and then presenting the football programme on Saturday. The week might also include some corporate work, filming for another channel or writing an article. Alongside that there are three kids to look after and a dog to walk, as well as trying to find time to play golf – ‘still chasing the scratch handicap’. 

How, I wondered, would he describe his profession: presenter, journalist, sports journalist? ‘That’s a good question’, he replied. ‘I think I see myself as a broadcaster and a very fortunate one because of the way I am able to straddle the different worlds of news and sport. People sometimes ask...