Dan Walker, the new host of BBC Breakfast, refuses to work on Sundays in order to “honour God and follow his commandments”.
The 38-year-old sports presenter has always maintained this position, although it stopped him pursuing a career as a professional footballer.
But he says keeping the Lord’s day is a “great privilege” despite some others in the media thinking that he is stupid and feeling sorry for him.
Privilege
When Walker first became a television presenter he signed a contract with the BBC which meant he wouldn’t have to work on Sundays.
Speaking in 2010, he said: “I was convinced that it was the right thing to honour God and follow his commandments.
“Observing the Lord’s day is a great privilege and brings with it loads of blessings.”
Sabbath observance
Walker, who is the son of a Baptist minister, also kept the Sabbath as he was growing up even though it put an end to his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
He received offers from youth teams of major football clubs but turned them down because they played their matches on a Sunday.
Since 2009 Walker has presented BBC One’s Football Focus. From 29 February he will continue to do so while replacing Bill Turnbull on BBC Breakfast – which has an average audience of more than 6 million viewers.
Sunday trading
The Government has come under renewed fire for pushing forward attempts to weaken Sunday trading laws through changes to the Enterprise Bill.
The plans will give local councils power to extend shopping hours on Sundays, which critics have warned could pressurise workers and undermine family life.
A consultation on the issue received more than 7,000 responses and the Government noted that trade unions, religious bodies and a number of small businesses and individuals were against the proposals.