The BBC has confirmed that under half of its Breakfast show team will be moving to Salford Quays. As expected presenters Sian Williams and Chris Hollins will not be heading north.

As expected co-host Sian Williams and sports presenter Chris Hollins will not be heading north.

But fellow hosts Susanna Reid and Bill Turnbull will be among 46% of the programme's staff making the move to MediaCityUK in spring 2012.

The BBC said Williams and Hollins had declined "for personal reasons" though both will continue to be involved in the BBC One show for the "foreseeable future".

Alison Ford, editor of Breakfast, said: “It is great news that lots of the team will be coming to Salford with the programme next year.

“We always knew there would be those who wouldn't be able to make the move for domestic reasons, but we'll have a really strong line-up of producers and presenters working together in MediaCity. We're enjoying huge success at the moment and I'm confident that's going to continue for years to come.”

The total number of staff from all departments moving to MediaCityUK now stands at 55%. This includes a quarter of Marketing & Audiences and 33% of staff from BBC Connect & Create.

Breakfast will be the first BBC television network news programme produced and broadcast from outside London.

Helen Boaden, director of BBC News, said: "The move of Breakfast is another important step in marking the BBC's commitment to expand its presence beyond London.

“I am delighted that so many staff have decided to make the journey with a programme that is one of the great success stories of the past ten years. I am sure it will go from strength to strength in its new home.”

Also moving to the new base at Salford Quays are BBC Children's, BBC Learning, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sport, who will start settling into their new home from May this year.

In total there will be 2,300 BBC posts based in Salford Quays with around 1,500 posts relocating from either London or Manchester. The corporation insists the relocation remains on time and in budget.

Peter Salmon, director of BBC North, said:  "Alongside the BBC staff moving to our new base at MediaCityUK, we will be employing hundreds of people new to the organisation, bringing their own experiences, creativity and fresh ideas that will enrich the output that we make from Salford Quays and broadcast to the whole of the UK.”