BBC Morning Live confirms star has left show after they ‘disappeared for months’ before huge show shake up
ONE of the BBC's Morning Live presenters has officially left the show after two years on screen.
The Sun can confirm that former hockey ace Sam Quek has left her role on the popular morning programme after she seemingly disappeared from the show 'for months'.
Sam joined the show in 2021 and famously hosted an edition of the programme just a day before giving birth in March 2022.
Confirming her exit, a spokesperson for the BBC told The Sun: “We thank Sam for all her brilliant work on Morning Live so far and hope to see her back on the show in the future.”
The Sun understands that the door remains firmly open for Sam in the future.
Sam was last seen in the Morning Live studio on the 19th July this year where she hosted an edition alongside right-hand man Gethin.
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During the episode, she participated in a workout session led by Strictly Come Dancing star Lauren Oakley as well as chatting to BBC Radio 1 star Greg James live on air.
Sam's departure from the programme comes hot off the heels of the announcement that the show has been handed an extended run that will see it airing each weekday between 9:30am and 10:45am from January.
Amid the news of Sam's exit, it was yesterday revealed that lead host Gethin Jones, would now be joined by regular stand-in hosts Helen Skelton and Michelle Ackerley in the Manchester studios permanently.
The pair will alternate hosting alongside Gethin between Mondays and Wednesdays with Kym Marsh also remaining on the show to co-host alongside the former Blue Peter star on Thursdays.
Sara Cox, Kimberley Walsh, Gaby Roslin and Rav Wilding were also confirmed to be remaining on the show as regular hosts albeit without fixed days.
Sam's exit from the programme coincides with the news that the Beeb's offering would be going head to head against crisis-hit This Morning for the first time.
This Morning has faced a difficult year following the departures surrounding former hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby as well as the controversy that surrounded both with Morning Live now seeking to capitalise on the growing number of people switching off ITV in a bid to entice them over to the Beeb.
It is hoped that the addition of Helen and Michelle will also be a draw to fans.
Speaking of joining the show full-time, Helen Skelton said: “I am so excited to become a more regular member of the Morning Live family, and be in such good company! It’s really nice to be part of a programme giving so many people a voice."
Michelle Ackerley added: “I’ve known Geth and Helen for a long time now and believe or not, Helen and I used to flat share back in the day! To do this all in my home town of Manchester is a dream!”
Morning Live currently airs from 9:15am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.