Sian Williams quitting BBC Breakfast

Sian Williams is one of a host of 'BBC Breakfast' presenters prepared to quit rather than move to Manchester.

The popular mother-of-four has decided not to move her family to the city when the morning show relocates to Salford Quays later this year, while sports presenter Chris Hollins has also refused to leave London. However Sian's co-host Bill Turnbull will relocate.

While Sian's agent admitted she will not be taking part in the show once it moves to Salford Quays, he insisted she has simply grown tired of early starts.

He explained to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "This is not about going to Salford but about a decade of getting up before the dawn chorus. We've been talking to the BBC for the past six to nine months about potential new roles where she doesn't need to use her alarm clock quite so frequently."

Susanna Reid is now being lined up as Sian's replacement.

A source said: "She'd jump at the chance. Susanna loves the BBC and this is her dream job."

Presenter Louise Minchin is expected to remain in London while Charlie Stayt and Carol Kirkwood have not yet made a decision.

Only a handful of 'BBC Breakfast's 100 staff have actually agreed to relocate and it's expected that less than 50 per cent will have signed up for it by the deadline at the end of the month. The overall BBC relocation includes 2,500 staff and is expected to cost £877 million.