A BBC Breakfast presenter has announced he’s leaving the national broadcaster.
Benjamin Mark Bland, known professionally as Ben Boulos, has worked for the BBC over the past 16 years – presenting on programmes including Business Live, Talking Business and World Business Report, as well as being one of the main relief presenters for BBC World News, BBC News Channel and BBC World Service.
He’s also worked as one of the anchors on BBC Breakfast over the past three years after first joining in 2022.
However, on today’s episode of the show, Boulos shared live on air that it would be his final time fronting the daily news programme.
In the final minutes of the of the show – which he’d been hosting alongside Luxmy Gopal – Ben explained he was about to sign off for the last time.
‘Just before we finish, just to share a bit of news about me,’ he began.
‘It’s my last appearance on Breakfast for the time being, I am off to take a new job elsewhere.
‘But I will miss this place, I will miss this programme a lot.’
Smiling in support, Luxmy stroked Ben’s shoulder as Ben became emotional.
He continued: ‘I have had the most wonderful time on Breakfast.
‘I just want to say thank you to the brilliant teams that we work with and above all thank you to everyone watching at home for letting me be a part of your mornings.
‘It has been a real pleasure and a privilege.’
Wrapping things up, he added: ‘Breakfast will be back tomorrow morning, Jon and Sally here from 6am.’
Sharing her own message, his co-host then said: ‘But for now, from Ben for the final time, and from me – enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely Sunday afternoon, whatever you are up to. And goodbye Ben!’
This weekend Ben also posted a video on social media in which he spoke about leaving the BBC.
‘New year, new start, new challenge. A big change for me in 2026 and exciting times ahead!’ he captioned the post.
Speaking to the camera, Ben also spoke about having had ‘the most wonderful decade and a half’ working at the broadcaster.
‘However, it is time for a change and a challenge for the new year, and I’m leaving to take up a very exciting opportunity elsewhere,’ he continued.
‘All I will say for the moment is that I will still be in broadcasting and presenting on television, and I will share some more details about it with you very soon.
‘But in the meantime, I just wanted to thank you all for the many messages and comments of support and encouragement over the past years and thank you for taking an interest in following me on here and I cannot wait to share the next chapter of my journey with you.’
The presenter was met with many messages of support from some of his 16,000 Instagram followers.
‘Gutted, I always look forward to watching you on breakfast TV! I am excited for you, and I look forward to what 2026 has in store for you. You will be missed but bright times ahead Ben,’ Chris commented.
‘Will miss you hugely but wishing you all the very best with your new venture and know you will smash it!’ Rich wrote.
‘It has been a huge pleasure watching you on BBC News for the last 11 years. Wishing you all the very best for whatever you do next,’ Luke shared.
In 2021 Ben announced he would be going by Ben Boulos professionally after ongoing confusion with an Australian financial journalist, for whom he often received messages for.
Writing on his website he said that while the change was sparked by the desire to have ‘clarity and avoid confusion’,’ he also wanted to change his name as Bland ‘hid aspects’ of his identity.
He told how adopting his maternal surname, from his mother of Sudanese-Egyptian descent, better represented his heritage.
‘I felt the name Bland didn’t do justice to who I am. By adopting the name Boulos, I am embracing the diverse cultural influences that have shaped me,’ he wrote.
‘Every name tells a story – and I want mine to give a more complete picture of who I am.’
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays from 6am-9am and from 6am on weekends on BBC One.
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