As people across the nation arrive for work on Monday, Natasha Kaplinsky will finally be able to relax.

Natasha is the new face of BBC Breakfast, the corporation's flagship early morning television show.

While most people would have butterflies about broadcasting to millions, a 3.20am alarm call, or sitting alongside heart-throb Dermot Murnaghan, Natasha has other worries.

She said: "I have a recurring nightmare that it's going to be Breakfast with Dermot because I will be lost somewhere in the maze of corridors at Television Centre.

"I'm tempted to leave some pink stones around the corridors so I can find my way about."

Natasha, who was born and raised in Sussex, was chosen to follow Sophie Raworth in fronting the show alongside Dermot.

She said: "I was thrilled to learn Dermot was going to be my co-presenter but I didn't find out until I read it in the paper.

"Dermot has been there for a little while and has really helped me find my feet.

"Stepping into Sophie's shoes is going to be very difficult."

Natasha, 30, was brought up at Barcombe near Lewes and went to Ringmer Community College before attending Varndean College in Brighton.

Even though she now lives in West London with rescued cats Oscar and Dilly, Natasha says she still regards Sussex as her home.

She began her television career with Meridian TV in Maidstone and Southampton and went on to present London Tonight and London Today before being snapped up by Sky.

After two years on the satellite station, she was chosen for the high-profile Breakfast slot at the BBC, where she will be broadcasting to seven million viewers each week.

Natasha said: "I have done early morning jobs twice before. The first was reading the early slot on Meridian and then again on Sky News.

"I don't mind too much getting up early but I find it depressing to go to bed so early at night.

"In the summer when everyone is going for country walks I'm saying goodbye to my friends at 6pm."