Dan Walker won’t appear on tonight’s Channel 5 News after bike accident near Sheffield family home

Dan Walker will not appear on Channel 5 News tonight after being struck by a driver while riding a bicycle near his family home today.

The former BBC presenter, 45, took selfies of his bloodied face from the inside of an ambulance as he shared details of the frightening incident on the outskirts of the city this morning.

He tweeted: ‘Bit of an accident this morning. Glad to be alive after getting hit by a car on my bike. Face is a mess but I don’t think anything is broken. 

‘Thanks to Shaun and Jamie for sorting me out and the lovely copper at the scene. This is my [sic] smiling. Thankful for our NHS.’

Walker is understood to have been replaced by Tessa Chapman as the lead anchor for Channel 5 News later today. 

The former BBC presenter, 45, took selfies of his bloodied face from the inside of an ambulance as he shared details of the frightening incident

Walker thanked the two paramedics who treated him for the injuries before tweeting a picture of them from inside an ambulance

Walker thanked the two paramedics who treated him for the injuries before tweeting a picture of them from inside an ambulance

His agent told The Times: ‘Walker is now in hospital recovering. It is understood the accident took place when the TV presenter was cycling from his home in Sheffield to the train station, where he was going to the Channel 5 studios in London.’

Walker lives in Sheffield with his wife Sarah and their three children Susanna, Joe and Jessica and last night posted a picture of the ‘beautiful sky’ over the city.

He posed with two smiling Yorkshire Ambulance Service paramedics as he was treated for his injuries.

The service also tweeted after the incident, saying: ‘Always proud of our amazing staff. Wishing you a speedy recovery @mrdanwalker.’

Walker has previously told of how he finds using taxis in London to be a ‘nightmare’ and instead commutes to work by bicycle.

Speaking in December, he said: ‘I can go from Downing Street to St Pancras in about 15 minutes, and it’s about 30 minutes in a taxi so although I feel like a bit of a geek sometimes, I’m very much enjoying it.’

‘My trousers don’t feel loose. My mince pies are probably offsetting the use of a bike.’ 

Details of the crash are currently unknown and it has not been revealed if the driver stopped at the scene. 

But Walker appeared in good spirits, despite obvious swelling to the lower parts of his face.

Walker tweeted: 'Bit of an accident this morning. Glad to be alive after getting hit by a car on my bike. Face is a mess but I don’t think anything is broken.'

Walker tweeted: ‘Bit of an accident this morning. Glad to be alive after getting hit by a car on my bike. Face is a mess but I don’t think anything is broken.’

Walker picture with a bicycle. He has previously said cycles because he finds using taxis to be a 'nightmare'

Walker picture with a bicycle. He has previously said cycles because he finds using taxis to be a ‘nightmare’

Walker shared rare family snaps as he enjoyed a half term break to Rome with wife Sarah and their three children Susanna, Joe and Jessica last year

Walker shared rare family snaps as he enjoyed a half term break to Rome with wife Sarah and their three children Susanna, Joe and Jessica last year

Rare insight: The former Strictly Come Dancing star took to Instagram where he posted the snaps of their Italian holiday in February last year, but was sure not to show his kids' faces

Rare insight: The former Strictly Come Dancing star took to Instagram where he posted the snaps of their Italian holiday in February last year, but was sure not to show his kids’ faces

Social media users were quick to send their well-wishes, with TV colleagues also passing on their sympathy.

Jeremy Vine, who regularly posts clips of himself becoming involved in incidents with drivers, added: ‘Dan, so sorry to hear this. Looks really painful. Hoping for a good recovery. Sending love.’

Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse wrote: ‘Oh wow!!! Get well soon.’

Mark Clemmit said: ‘Mate… Much love from us.’

Dr Punam Krishan added: ‘Gosh! Glad you’re ok, what a shock that must’ve been. Hope you feel better soon x’.

Alan Hardy responded: ‘Simply awful, so sorry Dan. Hate my boys out cycling, I’m on tender hooks [sic] and this is why. Recover soon pal and hope it’s just cuts and bruises.’

Walker hosted BBC Breakfast from 2016 and took part in the 2021 series of Strictly Come Dancing, revealing he signed up for the show to do something ‘fun’ and have a ‘giggle’ after reporting on difficult news stories during the pandemic.

He also hosted Football Focus for 12 years, along with regular appearances on Match of the Day, the Grand National, Royal Ascot and the NFL Show. 

Last year he replaced Sian Williams as the lead anchor for 5 News after she announced she was stepping down in April last year.

He also presents a number of other shows on Channel 5 including Digging for Treasure. 

Walker pictured alongside dance partner Nadiya Bychkova, who were paired together for Strictly Come Dancing in 2021

Walker pictured alongside dance partner Nadiya Bychkova, who were paired together for Strictly Come Dancing in 2021

Walker hosted BBC Breakfast from 2016 and took part in the 2021 series of Strictly Come Dancing

Walker hosted BBC Breakfast from 2016 and took part in the 2021 series of Strictly Come Dancing

Walker pictured attending the TV Choice Awards in London on November 14 last year

Walker pictured attending the TV Choice Awards in London on November 14 last year

Prior to leaving the BBC, he was 18th on the list for the corporation’s highest-paid stars, with a salary of £295,000. 

It has been reported that he could earn £1.5million over three years with Channel 5.

He revealed last year how his early starts when working at the BBC were ‘annoying’ his wife and family.

The broadcaster said his former role at BBC Breakfast required a 3am wake-up.

Walker admitted he is still an early riser even after taking the role at Channel 5, joking that he once irritated his wife Sarah by ‘cleaning the garage out at 6 o’clock in the morning’.

During an appearance on Loose Women in June, he said: ‘I’m still waking up and getting up quite early but my old life used to be 3 o’clock alarm call, so I’m still getting up at 5 o’clock in the morning.

‘I think I’m annoying my wife and family at the minute because I find I’ve got so much more energy. I was cleaning the garage out at 6 o’clock in the morning.

‘I never minded getting up at three because I felt I was getting a head start on everybody else so I’ve always got up early, I’ve never really slept that much. Once I get up, I just crack on.’

Did you witness the incident? Email jamie.phillips@mailonline.co.uk 

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk