BBC Breakfast star Sally Nugent makes first TV appearance since splitting from her husband

Sally Nugent was back at work on Monday morning making her first BBC Breakfast appearance since news of her divorce.

The BBC star, 51, was joined on the couch by her co-anchor, Jon Kay, for her usual morning show just two days after Mail Online announced the fact that she and husband Gavin Hawthorn, 52, have decided to split their weigh.

Notably, Sally was not wearing her wedding ring when she presented live from the BBC studios on Monday morning, wearing a chic cream suit.

According to friends, Sally and Gavin, who have a teenage son, have been “going in different directions” lately. “It’s very sad, but they’re not together anymore,” the source said over the weekend.

The source added, “I think they tried to hold out for a while because they didn’t want to break up if they could help it for the sake of their son, but obviously they couldn’t try.

“They’ve both been very wary of the reasons behind their growing apart, but it’s been clear for some time that they were and now it’s clear they’ve failed to work that out despite the fact that they’ve been trying for a while.’

Gavin has now reportedly moved out of the couple’s £1.3 million home.

The presenter has seen her career go from strength to strength in recent years, moving from sports journalist to regular BBC Breakfast presenter to replace Louise Minchin at the end of 2021.

As Ms Nugent’s star has risen, her husband has moved from a senior marketing role at Pets at Home to an investment in a local franchise for national group The Massage Company near their home in Greater Manchester.

Their friend added: ‘The contrast between their two media careers couldn’t have been greater.

Sally would not have spoken publicly about her husband’s identity, while her biography on the BBC Breakfast website simply says she is ‘married with one child – a football and rugby mad boy’.

Having covered major sporting events – including football World Cups – for the BBC, Birkenhead-born Nugent became a regular presenter for BBC Breakfast following the departure of Louise Minchin in 2021.

Moved on: Mail Online broke the fact that she and husband Gavin Hawthorn, 52, have decided to go their separate ways

Shock: Notably, Sally was not wearing her wedding ring when she presented live from the BBC studios on Monday morning, wearing a chic cream suit

The couple, who have a teenage son, have been going ‘in different directions’ lately, according to a friend who knows them

At the time, she said of her high-profile move, “I couldn’t quite believe it. I’m just happy to be here.

“It’s a real honor and all the women who have been here before me have been brilliant.

“But I have to thank that brilliant team over there on the other side of the wall, who are really good and helped me get here.”

She now shares the couch with Jon Kay.