Dan Walker is set to join the team at Classic FM as the host of a brand new breakfast show.

It was announced on Wednesday the presenter, 46, would be returning to a breakfast time slot from 6.30am to 10am, after leaving BBC Breakfast back in May 2022. 

Launching on Monday 8th January, the all-new Classic FM Breakfast with Dan Walker will provide listeners with a relaxing start to the day featuring classical music and conversation.

Speaking about his new role, Dan, 46, said: 'This is an amazing chance to join one of the biggest radio stations in the country. 

'I'm over the moon that I'm going to be part of Classic FM's brilliant line-up and presenting the breakfast show is a wonderful opportunity. 

'I am passionate about classical music and I'm a long-time listener – I also love the breakfast audience and I think they know me well so I can't wait to get started.'

Meanwhile Philip Noyce, Classic FM's Managing Editor, added: 'It's really fitting to welcome in the new year with our new-look 2024 schedule, and to be able to welcome Dan Walker back to breakfast broadcasting as the new host of Classic FM Breakfast is fantastic. 

'We look forward to him joining the Classic FM family with an engaging and rejuvenating programme, weekdays from 6.30am, to ease listeners into the start of their day.'

Also taking to Instagram to share the news with his followers, Dan joked: 'I need to dust off the alarm clock! Really excited about joining the brilliant team at @classicfm.

'Massive job stepping into @timlihoreau’s shoes but I can’t wait to get started on the breakfast show. See you Monday from 630am'. 

The signing is part of an exciting new schedule for Classic FM in 2024 with more details to be announced in the next few days.

Fans were delighted at the news as they took to the comments to share their support. 

One wrote: 'Congratulations lovely man! You’ll be fantastic!' and a second added: 'Magic! I'll be tuned im'. 

Another penned: 'Well deserved' while another joked: 'He's everywhere'.  

Dan will continue his work with Channel 5 News, alongside his new role at Classic FM.

It comes after the star revealed in November last year that he was told he had cancer during a terrifying hospital stay in Poland.

The broadcaster was taken to hospital after his kidneys stopped working and he was pumped with eight litres of saline solution.

His head also doubled in size and he had to walk around naked as his body was so bloated he couldn't fit into his boxer shorts.

Speaking on the podcast White Wine Question Time, Dan said he is forever grateful to his former colleague Richard Hughes who accompanied him to the hospital back when the scare happened in 2012.

He said: 'I was in Poland a few years ago covering the European Championships and I had a slightly strange lump in my stomach.

'My breathing was changing a little bit and I went to the medical centre in the broadcast centre there, and within two and a half minutes I was in the back of an ambulance on my way to a Polish A&E.

'And a guy called Richard Hughes, who is the editor of Match Of The Day now, and a guy I'd worked with for many years, he dropped everything and came with me.

'You know times in life when you think sometimes you need someone to hold your hand.

'It did get a bit scary that night - about two o'clock in the morning a Polish consultant came in and told me that I had cancer because they'd seen some shadows on my kidney. He used the word tumour.'

But later Dan asked if the head consultant could look at his scan to make 100% sure it was cancer before he called his family and told them. 

He said: 'At eight o'clock in the morning she came in straight away and she said 'I've got good news, it's not a tumour.'

It turned out Dan did not have cancer but was instead battling a serious virus that harmed the functioning of his kidneys.

Classic FM is available across the UK on Global Player, DAB+ digital radio and TV, 100-102 FM and at ClassicFM.com.