Canadians celebrate ‘Breakfast Television’ host Dina Pugliese, who steps down after 16 years

Canadians are paying tribute to long-time “Breakfast Television” host Dina Pugliese as she steps away from the show after 16 years.Pugliese announced recently that she would be leaving the Citytv show, highlighting that the job has been a “blessing,” but that it has also taken a “mental and physical toll” on her.“Be yourself, work hard, be grateful for the opportunities that come your way. This industry can be so cut throat, ” Pugliese said on her final show as host. “I always really just wanted to be a light for people. I enjoy laughter and I think we all need it.”With her family by her side, Pugliese added that it’s because of their support, and that of her colleagues and viewers that she’s been able to host the show for the past several years.“How wild is it to have these incredible human beings and have this relationship? It’s not just the celebrities — it’s all of you at home,” she said. “This is a true two-way street.”Pugliese kicked off her career as an associate producer for Global Television’s “The Bynon Show” and reporter and producer of “Toronto Today.” She went on to host “The-A-List” in 2004 and “Star! Daily” between 2005 and 2007. She joined Breakfast Television in 2006.While Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca presented Pugliese with the key to the city, viewers and the long-time host’s colleagues flooded Twitter with support as #weloveyoudina trends.“It’s the end of an era! I’ve been a big fan of @DinaPugliese (such an incredible role model for women) for years and @breakfasttv is one of my favourite morning routines,” one viewer tweeted. “Thank you for making all our mornings brighter for so long, Dina!”Another user posted a solemn video of a young viewer who gave his goodbye, and sent a kiss in Italian.“Today’s the day, Dina. Farewell. We’re all gonna miss you,” he said. “Un bacio! The show will never be the same without you.”Others expressed just what it has meant to them to see Pugliese on their screens each morning.“You have made me laugh, cry & enjoy mornings,” one viewer tweeted. “You have a beautiful life & so much more to do.”One viewer tweeted that she and her dad had watched Breakfast Television since the 1990s and that when he recently passed away, the show became even more significant to her.“He passed in 2019, then the pandemic hit & I was so sad & cut off from everyone since I lived alone,” she wrote. “You and @devobrown were a lifeline, helped me smile every morning. Can’t thank you enough!!Another congratulated the host on a job well done.“Thank you for your wonderful energy, professionalism and positive attitude,” she wrote. “You were a class act from start to finish. Now go have some great travels and get some well deserved sleep.”One of Pugliese’s former colleagues, Melanie Ng, celebrated her as “one of the most talented, humble and hilarious humans on this planet.”Tammie Sutherland, the network’s newest full-time anchor, also gave Pugliese her flowers.“Let’s celebrate 16 years of light & laughter on @breakfasttv,” she tweeted.Manuela Vega is a Toronto-based staff reporter for the Star’s Express Desk. Follow her on Twitter: @_manuelavega