BBC Breakfast's new studio branded 'garish'

BBC Breakfast's first broadcast from Salford has left some of its viewers unhappy with the show's new-look "garish" studio.

Disgruntled viewers complained on the programme's Facebook page after the first programme from its new MediaCityUK home kicked-off with Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid.

Viewers said that the BBC1 show's presenters were forced to sit too close together and that there were too many close-ups of the pair.

Jamie Skinner wrote: "Your new studio is awful! It's way too bright and 'springy'. The colours don't match, and you're copying Daybreak."

Darren Gilbert added: "Anybody else having burning eyes from watching the new set?"

Gill Wade was also unhappy, writing online: "Looks like the Breakfast team have moved to a barbers shop. What are those poles in the background?"

Keith Higham wrote: "Something seriously wrong with the studio set-up. Bill and Susanna were very cramped... the camera needs to pull back to allow more room around the presenters. The background is also way too distracting."

Chris Hainstock added: "The walls are too low, they reveal cheap looking lights above.

"The cameras are too close to the presenters, and they in turn feel uncomfortably close together. Pull back the cameras... everything seems much more cramped and overpoweringly red/orange."

Brian Christopher Winter added: "Thought Susanna was going to end up on Bill's lap. Cameras are far too close to the presenters. The orange is a bit garish too."

Liz Morell wrote: "I was confused when I first switched on this morning.....I thought I must be on ITV! It all looked far too bright and tacky....trying too hard to be 'cool' but failing miserably. What a shame!"

Some viewers were happy with the new look.

Kofo Kego wrote that "the new BBC Breakfast studio is beautiful" and Christina Vernon added: "The colour and brightness of the new studio is great. Like I have a new TV!"

Andy Thompson added: "At the end of the day, its still better than ITV Daybreak."

Fittingly enough, BBC Breakfast announced that one of its guests on tomorrow's show will be interior designer Kelly Hoppen.

This morning, Turnbull first made reference to the move to Salford after previewing a news item on people not knowing their neighbours, suggesting that friends are made in other ways.

Reid followed on: "Talking of making new friends, we are very glad you have joined us for our first morning from our new studio in Salford."

The corporation's flagship morning programme will be fronted by Turnbull, Reid, Louise Minchin and Charlie Stayt, following the departures of presenter Sian Williams and sports presenter Chris Hollins.

The team join around 2,200 BBC staff now based in Salford, including employees of the BBC Sport and BBC Children departments, Radio 6 Music, Radio 5 Live and North West Tonight.

Breakfast is the highest profile show so far to be based at the new centre as part of the BBC's drive for better regional representation in Britain.

Broadcast since 2000, BBC Breakfast averages an audience of 12 million viewers each week.

PA