Naga Munchetty to leave BBC Breakfast after 17 years
Naga Munchetty’s Departure from BBC Breakfast Marks New Chapter
Constantvpn.com – After seventeen remarkable years with the programme, Naga Munchetty has announced she will be leaving BBC Breakfast. The beloved co-host is set to transition from television to radio, taking on a prominent role at Radio 5 Live’s breakfast show. Munchetty first joined BBC One’s flagship morning programme as a finance reporter. Over time, she evolved into one of the show’s principal presenters, a position she has held for twelve years. Her current schedule sees her presenting the television broadcast three days each week, while dedicating another three days to 5 Live’s mid-morning slot. Beginning in January, she will commit to presenting 5 Live Breakfast five days weekly. Reflecting on her television career, Munchetty shared her sentiments:
It has been a privilege to be part of the BBC Breakfast TV team for the past 17 years, working alongside an incredibly talented and hard-working group of journalists who are not only outstanding colleagues but also great friends.
She currently shares presenting duties with Charlie Stayt on Thursday through Saturday broadcasts. Regarding her upcoming radio move, she explained:
Presenting a flagship programme on 5 Live is an opportunity that was simply too good to pass up. It will take a huge amount of work and require 100% of my focus and energy, and I’m really looking forward to throwing myself into the role.
John McAndrew, who serves as the BBC’s director of live and daily news, praised Munchetty’s contribution. He noted that she would be “hugely missed by the millions of viewers who’ve welcomed her into their homes each week”. McAndrew expressed his satisfaction that Munchetty remains within the BBC family, adding: “I’m very pleased that Naga will be staying with the BBC and I wish her the best of luck at 5 Live.” While Munchetty’s successor on BBC Breakfast remains unannounced, 5 Live Breakfast will welcome a new co-host to work alongside her in the radio studio.
Changes at 5 Live Breakfast
The programme’s current hosts, Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, revealed on Tuesday’s broadcast that they will be departing after five years together. Burden, who is transitioning to Munchetty’s Monday-to-Wednesday mid-morning position, commented:
After 15 years hosting 5 Live Breakfast, I’ve decided it’s time for a change – and I’m really excited about launching my new show on the station.
Edwards, meanwhile, will continue as host of the weekend sport quiz Fighting Talk. He expressed that he would miss “our wonderful audience”, the production team, and Burden—whom he characterized as “a colleague who has become a friend, and also a mentor, because she’s so much older than me”. With characteristic humor, Edwards added: “Two things I am of course looking forward to are not waking up at 3.45am, and vaping without fear of violent recrimination.”
Professional Milestones and Controversies
Munchetty ranks among the BBC’s highest-earning presenters according to the latest salary disclosures, with an annual income of approximately £360,000. Throughout her career, she has conducted interviews with numerous high-profile figures, including Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Sir Keir Starmer, Sir David Attenborough, and Sir Rod Stewart. Her television appearances also include participation in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. Her tenure has not been without controversy. In 2019, Munchetty was initially found to have violated BBC guidelines regarding comments about a social media post from Donald Trump concerning four female politicians of colour. The BBC’s director general subsequently overturned this decision, determining that her remarks were “not sufficient to merit” upholding part of the complaint. Two years later, in 2021, both Munchetty and Charlie Stayt were “spoken to and reminded of their responsibilities” following complaints about their reaction to a government minister’s flag. Munchetty issued an apology for liking tweets she considered “offensive” regarding the exchange. More recently, in June 2025, the Sun newspaper published details of two alleged incidents that prompted BBC executives to discuss Munchetty’s conduct. These reports emerged alongside suggestions of behind-the-scenes tensions on the programme, coinciding with programme editor Richard Frediani taking extended leave following allegations about his behaviour. The BBC maintained that it does not comment on individual cases but takes all workplace conduct complaints extremely seriously. Neither Munchetty nor Frediani provided public comment on the reports.
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