Big breakfast is toast

After nearly 10 years on Channel 4, today's Big Breakfast will be the last.

Past presenters, many of whom had their careers launched by the show, have returned to the studios for the last time.

The Big Breakfast has been axed after a decline in viewers and will be replaced by a new programme within the next few weeks.

Among those appearing in the final broadcast is Chris Evans, who launched the show in September 1992.

He recorded his reminiscences from his new LA home describing how he was locked in the toilet just seconds before the programme was launched.

He said: "A minute before, maybe a minute and a half, somebody said 'are you in there?'. They banged the door down."

He added: "It was good in a way - I was so worried about getting out, I forgot my nerves."

Johnny Vaughan and Denise Van Outen are among the programme's most popular faces. They helped to revive flagging ratings for the show, which has seen its audiences yo-yo.

Details of the new show to fill the early morning slot, and even its launch date, have still to be announced, but it is expected to be called Rise.