BBC Breakfast Victoria Fritzs life – Going into labour at studio to name change

BBC Breakfast viewers have welcomed a new face to the sofa this week, as Victoria Fritz stepped in for Sally Nugent.

The star, who recently announced a name change to Victoria Valentine, following a split from her husband of 11 years, has been delighting fans on the big red sofa each morning.

But how much do you know about the TV presenter?

READ NEXT: BBC Breakfast fans want Victoria Fritz to be permanent host as she replaces Sally again

Away from the limelight, Victoria has led a very interesting life – from past BBC stints, to a secret talent and receiving a surprise when she went into labour in the BBC studios.

Past BBC fame

Victoria has been delighting fans during her stint on BBC Breakfast – but did you know that she has hosted a variety of programmes for the Beeb since 2008?

After studying law and economics at Cambridge University, she joined the BBC following a stint at financial commentary site Breaking Views.

Since then, she has presented BBC Morning Global news programmes on BBC One, BBC News and BBC World News, as well as providing coverage for shows on BBC Radio 4 and The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2.

She also launched the BBC's Business Live Programme, where she became the broadcaster's first female transport correspondent.

Going into labour at BBC studio

In 2016, Victoria got a surprise when she went into labour five weeks before her due date – and shortly after she had presented the news on air.

The TV presenter discovered that her waters had broken shortly after reading the business news live on air at the BBC Studio in Salford.

Victoria revealed to The Mail On Sunday that she and her co-stars had joked about her son William being born early, but that none of the team expected it to actually happen.

The star's husband subsequently raced to travel from their London home to Salford, but found himself stuck in traffic on the M6.

Hearing the news about her husband, Victoria's co-star Sally Nugent stepped in and said she would stay with her until her husband arrived – but Dan continued to be stuck in traffic.

As such, Sally stayed with Victoria as the presenter gave birth to son William, with a BBC spokesperson saying at the time: "When Sally heard that she'd gone into labour she offered to be there until Victoria's husband got there.

"But her husband never arrived so she found herself at the birth."

The star was later rushed to Manchester's St Mary's Hospital, with Victoria later paying thanks to the hospital and the BBC news team.

She tweeted: "My heartfelt thanks to @sallynugent & St Mary's drs&midwives who helped me deliver my little boy yesterday.

"A @BBCBreakfast team effort!"

Sally Nugent replied: "It's going to make a brilliant story for his 21st birthday ! What an incredible day xx."

When BBC viewers were also confused why another presenter, Sean Farrington, was presenting the business news that day, breakfast host Naga Munchetty joked that Victoria had "decided to be even more productive than she is in the workplace".

She said: "There she was, you know, just presenting very happily, not an issue in the world.

"And then she decided to have a bit of an event later on."

Former BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker also responded to viewers with a tweet, saying: "If you're wondering why @seanfarrington is a late sub today… huge CONGRATULATIONS to @VFritzNews #ItsABoy."

Split from husband

BBC Breakfast viewers were left confused this morning (October 26), after Victoria introduced herself as Victoria Valentine rather than Victoria Fritz.

Fans took to social media to ask about the name change, with one saying: "Morning Victoria, how come the name has changed? Was confused when you just introduced yourself on the red couch."

A second asked: "Anyone surprised by Victoria Fritz name change? What's that about? #BBCBreakfast."

"I noticed that, how strange?" agreed a third, while a fourth questioned: "Is it Victoria Fritz or Valentine ?? Presenting this morning #BBCBreakfast."

However, the presenter took to Twitter to address the confusion, revealing that she and her husband Dan Fritz had decided to part ways.

Victoria had been married to her writer and barrister husband Dan Fritz since 2011, with who she has two children.

Addressing the name change on Twitter, she wrote: "Hello. You may notice a little change today. If you are wondering why, here are a few words," before linking to a blog post.

In the blog post, she continued: "The reasons for the breakdown of my marriage are private. I have two wonderful young children to consider. Protecting their wellbeing and right to a private life will always be my priorities.

"Yet, however private I wish to keep my private life, there is an aspect of it that will always remain as much in public hands as it is in my own. And that is my name.

"Here’s the rub. It no longer fits. It doesn’t fit the person that has emerged nor does it truthfully describe the future ahead of me. In the re-casting and the re-crafting, I’ve discovered my name matters. And so I am changing it."

Secret talent

Away from journalism, did you know that Victoria also has a secret talent for gardening?

The star regularly shares gardening tips on her Instagram page and website, titled The Social Gardener.

Fans can read about the discoveries that she has made while gardening, as well as the project she is working on, with Victoria writing on her website: "As I slowly, painstakingly restore the gardens of a once famous politician, I take you with me.

"I’ll use the garden to demystify “green-fingers”, introduce you to some new ideas and some age-old techniques. You’ll learn not just how to garden sustainably, but most importantly why.

"I chronicle my discoveries in the garden and in its little place in modern history in the journal."

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