Resting on Sunday works for Dan

Sports broadcaster Dan Walker has revealed that he’s lost work because of his Christian faith – but it’s a sacrifice he’s delighted to make.

The Channel 5 presenter, who was the face of the BBC’s Football Focus for more than a decade and a regular on Final Score, Sportsday and Match of the Day, refuses to work on Sundays, limiting his roles in sport, where Sunday is a regular contest day.

Father-of-three Walker instead devotes the sabbath to God and his family, meaning he has missed out on “amazing jobs”.

But the 47-year-old, who also fronts 5 News and Classic FM’s breakfast show, told Sorted magazine: “It has worked for me. I know there are plenty of things that I’ve not been able to do over the years, amazing jobs that I’ve turned down, but I’m very happy with that decision.

“I’ve never tried to give anybody another reason not to employ me. I’ve never done it to prove anybody wrong. I just need that sort of day when my family knows I am going to be there and it’s a day to do something a little bit different.

“My sister’s a nurse; she works on Sunday. My dad’s a pastor, so he used to work every Sunday.”

Walker has previously spoken of how his faith trumps his career, telling The Guardian: “When it comes to the job, I love it, but I am not defined by my career. My value doesn’t come from what anyone else thinks of me and whether I can make a good show.” 

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