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 marriage split. 

The BBC star, 51, was joined on the sofa by her co-anchor, Jon Kay, for her usual morning programme, just two days after Mail Online broke the fact that she and her husband Gavin Hawthorn, 52, have decided to go their separate ways.

Sally was notably not wearing her wedding ring as she presented live from the BBC studios on Monday morning, dressed in a chic cream suit. 

According to friends, Sally and Gavin, who have a teenage son, have been ‘moving in different directions’ recently. ‘It’s very sad but they are no longer together,’ said the source over the weekend. 

The source added: ‘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. 

‘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.’

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

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.

Added their friend: ‘The contrast between their two media careers couldn’t have been more stark.

Sally is not believed to have spoken publicly about the identity of her husband, with her biography on the BBC Breakfast website simply saying she is ‘married with one child – a football and rugby-mad boy’.

After covering 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 out: Mail Online broke the fact that she and her husband Gavin Hawthorn, 52, have decided to go their separate ways 

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

The couple, who have a teenage son, having been ‘moving in different directions’ recently, 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 delighted to be here.

‘It’s a real honour and all the women who’ve sat here before me have been brilliant.

‘But I have to say, thank you to that brilliant team the other side of the wall there, who are really quite good and have helped me get here.’

She now shares the sofa with Jon Kay.