Rachel Burden bid farewell to her thousands of followers and left fans pleading with the BBC presenter to change her mind.

BBC Breakfast host Rachel Burden has bid farewell to her Twitter/X followers in a surprising announcement that left fans and colleagues in shock.

The seasoned broadcaster took to social media on Monday afternoon to share her decision.

She tweeted: “I think I’m done with this malarkey for now.

“Goodbye friends. Goodbye bots. Stay safe out there. (For some radio/dog/at home/in the wild content – find me on Blue Sky or Instagram).”

The unexpected post prompted a flurry of responses from fans and followers.

Rachel Burden has decided to leave Twitter (Image: BBC Breakfast)

One user pleaded: “Noooo stay and fight! If you indeed decide to leave, you’ll be missed.”

Another agreed: “Of course your decision Rachel, but for me here you’ll be missed.”

However, others expressed an understanding of the situation, with one follower writing: “I don’t blame you. It’s become a mad house.”

Just a few days before revealing her plans to leave Twitter, the BBC presenter shared some aspects of this time of year that she finds difficult.

The presenter told followers she will be using BlueSky and Instagram instead (Image: Twitter)

Ending on a hopeful note, she told followers: “The weather may be sh*t, the politics is toxic, and it’s back to work/school tomorrow (unless you’re there already)… but we’re on the upward curve to Spring.”

This comes after Rachel joked about leaving her station at BBC Breakfast early during a recent broadcast.

After hearing the weather forecast alongside her co-host Ben Thompson, she seemed keen to head up north to Scotland where snowfall was predicted, saying: “Do you know what the thought of getting up there snuggling down by the fire and having a full-on roast this afternoon, absolute heaven.”

Ben suggested that they leave right away, and Rachel agreed, even asking their sports co-star Jane Dougall if she would mind taking over for them.