His impressive salary saw him become one of the top 20 earners at the BBC.

Now, as he prepares to see his income balloon with a new role at Channel 5, Dan Walker claims he is 'embarrassed' about the amount of money he earns.

The former BBC Breakfast host said he comes from a humble background where his parents had 'no money' and his clothes were 'hand-me-downs'.

He added that he was also well aware that in the current climate many people, including some of his own family members, were struggling to put three meals a day on the table.

Speaking to the Daily Mail's Weekend magazine, former Football Focus presenter Walker said: 'I hate talking about money. I feel uncomfortable that I get paid a lot to do a job I love.

'I remember the first day a national newspaper published what I earned on the front page. That was awful.'

The 45-year-old added: 'I am embarrassed by the amount I earn. My parents had no money growing up. All my clothes were hand-me-downs. At a time when people are struggling to put food on the table, it's horrible to have your salary on the front page.

'I'm aware even people in my family are finding it hard to budget for three meals a day right now, getting to the end of the month and it's beans on toast again. I understand that's a real heartache. I've been there.'

In the most recent list of the BBC's highest-paid stars, released last July, Walker was 18th with a salary of £295,000. Top was Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, who earned £1.3million. Walker, who starred on the last series of Strictly Come Dancing, announced in April that he was leaving BBC Breakfast to join Channel 5 News.

He will also host a range of shows across Channel 5, where it's been reported he could earn £1.5million over three years, a figure he declined to confirm or deny.

• 5 News with Dan Walker starts on Monday, June 6, at 5pm on Channel 5.