BBC Breakfast star Sally Nugent asks viewers to send in pictures of their ‘Chopper’

Sally Nugent was left red-faced during Wednesday’s episode of BBC Breakfast as she asked viewers to send in photos of their ‘Chopper’

The journalist, 51, and her co-host Jon Kay, 53, were presenting the day’s headlines when they discussed the return of The Raleigh Chopper which is being relaunched after it first appeared in the 1970s.

As a photo of the iconic bikes appeared on screen, Jon asked: ‘Do you remember these? I really wanted one.’

Sally agreed, saying: ‘They were very expensive. That’s what my mum always said anyways.’

Jon told viewers: ‘One most famous bicycles in history is being relaunched for a new generation of fans.

Clip: The journalist, 51, and her co-host Jon Kay, 53, were presenting the day’s headlines when they discussed the return of The Raleigh Chopper which is being relaunched after it first appeared in the 1970s

‘So we’re going to be pedalling back in time to take a look at how the cult classic, The Raleigh Chopper became so iconic.’  

Giggling, Sally added: ‘We’d love to see your pictures with a Chopper bike, so please do send them in.’

Later, she said: ‘Yes so any lucky people who did manage to have a Chopper when they were a kid, send in your pictures. 

Jon added: ‘We’re going to get lots of Chopper memories as the programme goes on,’ as both he and Sally could be heard laughing.

It comes after Sally split from her husband Gavin Hawthorn after 13 years of marriage.

The couple, who have a teenage son, having been ‘moving in different directions’ recently, according to a friend who knows them.

‘It’s very sad but they are no longer together,’ said the source.

‘I think they tried to tough it out for quite a while as they didn’t want to split up if they could possibly help it for the sake of their son but they clearly couldn’t make a go of it.

Breakup: It comes after Sally split from her husband Gavin Hawthorn after 13 years of marriage

Relationship: Gavin Hawthorn pursued a successful career in marketing, working for multinational hotel chains before joining pet superstore business Pets At Home

‘They’ve both been very guarded about the reasons behind their growing apart but it’s been plain for a while that they had been and now it’s obvious that they haven’t been able to resolve that despite clearly trying for some time.’

The presenter has seen her career go from strength to strength in recent years, going from a sports journalist to becoming a permanent presenter of BBC Breakfast to replace Louise Minchin in late 2021.

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