Dan Walker admits he misses 'back and forth' with former breakfast TV rival Piers Morgan

Tom Beasley

Dan Walker has confessed he misses his playful rivalry with Piers Morgan over their breakfast TV ratings.

Walker and Morgan would often needle each other both on air and on Twitter during Morgan's tenure as host of Good Morning Britain on ITV, while Walker fronts rival BBC programme Breakfast.

Read more: Breakfast presenters agree to golf course face-off with GMB

The duo recently sparred over Morgan suggesting he could replace Walker's departing colleague Louise Minchin, but Walker has fond words for their unusual relationship.

"I sometimes miss the back and forth," Walker admitted in an interview with The Sun.

Dan Walker and Piers Morgan would frequently spar on social media over the ratings for their breakfast shows. (Warren Little/Getty Images)
Dan Walker and Piers Morgan would frequently spar on social media over the ratings for their breakfast shows. (Warren Little/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

He added: "I thought it was healthy for both programmes. I never shied away from a bit of competition and it’s good, it keeps you on your toes as well.

"I’m sure we’ll see him back on a screen sometime soon though. So I don’t miss it too much."

Read more: Walker says there's "a decent bloke fighting to get out" of Morgan

Asked if he fancied taking on Morgan's job behind the GMB desk, Walker said he is "very happy doing what I’m doing", including fronting special editions of Breakfast from the Tokyo Olympics in the coming weeks.

Walker and Morgan turned heads back in June when they crossed paths on a golf course and shared a selfie, as well as a video of Morgan delivering a less than perfect effort on the fairway.

A post shared by Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker)

Walker is one of the highest paid presenters on the BBC roster, with numerous sports gigs on top of his Breakfast role.

In the latest BBC pay report, published earlier this month, Walker's annual salary was listed as being between £295,000 and £295,999.

Read more: Breakfast presenter apologises after rude slip of the tongue

He also earned at least £5,000 from external work, including public speaking and corporate events.

Walker stepped down as host of weekend magazine programme Football Focus this year after a decade in the seat and will be replaced by former England right-back Alex Scott for the new season.

Watch: Dan Walker stepping down from Football Focus role

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