of 'camera left' - often seen as a place of seniority

Viewers hit out at the BBC accusing bosses of favouritism based on where presenters sit on its Breakfast show.

Dan Walker, 38, joined the 'more experienced' Louise Minchin on the sofa at the end of last month and has been sitting in 'camera left' position.

It is the same spot as his predecessor Bill Turnbull, who left after 15 years, and is often seen in the industry as a position of seniority.

Minchin, 47, has been on the BBC Breakfast sofa for more than 10 years and has also worked on The One Show and presented on the BBC News Channel.

Dan Walker, 38, joined the 'more experienced' Louise Minchin on the sofa at the end of last month and has been sitting in 'camera left' position

It is the same spot as his predecessor Bill Turnbull, who left after 15 years, and is often seen in the industry as a position of seniority

BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Louise Minchin on the sofa on September 23, 2015

And disgruntled viewers spoke of their anger at what they believe is a snub to Minchin.

Adele Clarke, from Cheshire, wrote to the Radio Times saying: 'I was annoyed to see 'new boy' Dan Walker seated on the left, in Bill Turnbull's own place, while far more experienced news presenter Louise Minchin remained in the 'number two' position on the right.

'How long will it take the BBC (and most other news stations) to catch up with the rest of us in the 21st century? Be brave – try seating a woman on the left and see how the world will keep turning.'

A spokesman for the BBC dismissed the accusations and said there is no pecking order on the Breakfast sofa.

He said: 'There is no seniority in terms of who sits where on the sofa. It's all about judging which is the best camera angle for the presenters.'

The show is broadcast from the BBC's Salford HQ and has an average of six million viewers each morning.

Walker, who is more famous for presenting Football Focus, joins Minchin from Monday to Wednesday.

Minchin, 47, has been on the BBC Breakfast sofa for more than 10 years and has also worked on The One Show and presented on the BBC News Channel

Walker, who is more famous for presenting Football Focus, joins Minchin from Monday to Wednesday.

He revealed before taking on the new role that he never works on Sundays due to his Christian faith.

As a youngster, he dreamed of being a professional footballer, but turned down invitations from the youth teams of major clubs because they played their matches on Sundays.

And when he became a TV presenter, fronting various sporting events and hosting BBC1's Football Focus, he struck a deal with bosses that he would never have to work on the Sabbath.

'I was convinced that it was the right thing to honour God and follow his commandments,' he said in 2010. 'Observing the Lord's Day is a great privilege and brings with it loads of blessings.'

The son of a Baptist preacher, Walker – who grew up in Crawley, West Sussex – has been a regular churchgoer all his life.

But he did not become devout until he was 12, when a preacher told him about 'the reality of hell for the unbeliever'.

Walker's refusal to work on Sundays made it tough to find a job as a football presenter. Pictured is Walker with Paul Ince while hosting BBC's live coverage of Manchester United's FA Cup win at Derby County in January

At first, Walker's refusal to work on Sundays made it tough to find a job as a football presenter.

Some interviewers thought he was stupid, and others felt sorry for him, he admits.

But he persevered and was eventually hired by the BBC. Since 2009, the 6ft 6in married father of three has become familiar to millions – mostly male – as the face of BBC1's Football Focus.