Where is Louise Minchin today? Why the presenter is not on BBC Breakfast, what happened to her - and when she’ll be back

BBC viewers have been querying why Louise Minchin has been missing from her regular slot as BBC Breakfast host.

The veteran TV presenter typically hosts the early morning news show alongside Dan Walker, but has been missing from the red sofa since the tail-end of last month.

The host, 52, broke her silence on her absence this weekend.

Where is Louise Minchin?

Louise Minchin revealed to her Twitter followers on December 6 why she hadn’t been presenting BBC Breakfast.

She tweeted: “Hiya, if you’ve been wondering what I am up to, I am having a break, to get my foot fixed.

"When I am a bit more mobile, as Arnie says, I will be back!!”

Alongside the caption, Minchin uploaded a picture of a heavily-bandaged foot.

Minchin explained that she broke her ankle while training for a triathlon.

Writing for Cheshire Life, she explained: “Way back in the summer of 2019 when I was in the last few weeks of training for the epic extreme triathlon Norseman, I went for my last long and suitably challenging run, up and down Snowdon.

"I loved every minute, right up until the moment when we had finished and started to walk and, I tripped on the pavement, and felt something in my foot rip as my ankle crumpled under me. It was agony, and I felt sick with pain as I hobbled back to the car.”

Despite the injury, Minchin continued to train and compete before acknowledging her injury.

She wrote: “An X-ray and MRI confirmed that a year and a half earlier I had broken a bone in my foot and also snapped an ankle ligament. What an idiot. No wonder it was sore.”

When will Louise Minchin be back?

The presenter did not give a firm date of her return to the breakfast-time show.

But co-host Walker hinted that a return may be days away.

He tweeted: "She is off after having her broken foot fixed.

"I think she'll be back on #BBCBreakfast next week."

Who is standing in for Louise Minchin?

Sally Nugent is standing in for Louise Minchin during her absence.

Nugent has infrequently stood in as a BBC presenter on a freelance basis since 2011.

Viewers may recognise the Birkenhead-born presenter from her stints as a presenter of sports bulletins on Breakfast.

Nugent is joined by regular host Dan Walker.

Louise Minchin career

Louise Minchin has worked with the BBC since 1998 working as a host for Radio 5 Live.

She made the move from the airwaves to the small screen in 2003, working as an Argentina-based presenter for the World Service.

Minchin first appeared on BBC Breakfast in 2006 where she provided cover for host Sian Williams.

Minchin became a regular on the show in 2012 replacing the outgoing Williams, with Bill Turnbull and Charlie Stayt serving as co-hosts.