Liza's Big Breakfast tears

Breakfast farewell: Johnny Vaughan and Liza Tarbuck

An emotional Liza Tarbuck accepted a bouquet from a Womble as she waved goodbye to Channel 4's Big Breakfast on Friday.

The 35-year-old presenter wiped away the tears after co-star Johnny Vaughan introduced a montage of her most memorable moments during a year at the helm.

And her eyes were still moist as the final verse of the traditional Friday song was dedicated to her.

Tarbuck, who is leaving to resume her acting career, was a big hit with viewers after striking up an instant on-screen rapport with the charismatic Vaughan.

Tarbuck is returning to her role as an actress

She got the job in August last year, replacing model Kelly Brook who came under-fire after struggling with the autocue.

But she warned her stint would only be short term and announced her decision to quit in April, via the Big Breakfast website.

In an online chat, she said: "It's hard getting up at four, you feel like an exiled monarch. I need to catch up with all my mates all over the country."

Rada-trained

Tarbuck, the daughter of Liverpool comedian Jimmy, trained at Rada and made her name in the long-running ITV sitcom Watching.

She went on to present The Weekend Show on BBC One and Channel 4's fashion programme She's Gotta Have It. Now she is working on a new drama series.

The Big Breakfast's producers have not yet lined up a permanent replacement for her, but up-and-coming presenter Lisa Rogers, who has stood in for Tarbuck before, will fill in for the next month.

She will be joined by Dermot O'Leary for the next few weeks as Vaughan takes a break to spend time with his baby daughter.

Vaughan, who is leaving the show altogether at the end of the year, paid tribute to Tarbuck - his friend of 20 years.

"I want to say Liza's been my mate for a long time and when she came to work here, they said, 'working with friends, you've got to be careful'.

"I say you don't know who your friends really are until you've worked with them."