Seventeen years is more than just a career—it becomes part of a person’s life. That’s why reports suggesting Naga Munchetty is leaving BBC Breakfast have struck such an emotional chord with viewers who have welcomed her into their mornings for nearly two decades.
NAGA Munchetty is leaving BBC Breakfast after almost two decades at the helm of the morning show.
The presenter joined the show back in 2009, but is now moving over to Radio 5 Live.
Naga will co-host the station’s Breakfast show from January.
She will take the helm from the current 5 Live Breakfast hosts, Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, who are stepping down in December.
A familiar voice to 5 Live listeners, Naga has presented the station’s weekday mid-morning programme since 2021.
Naga’s salary for this last financial year for her work on BBC Breakfast was a whopping £360,000 – £364,999, which was confirmed when BBC salaries were revealed earlier this month.
The move comes after Naga faced accusations of ‘bullying’ junior staffers on the BBC show just last year.
The Sun told how Naga was hauled in by bosses for the alleged bullying of a woman, who was the most junior staffer, in late 2024.
As part of the bullying behaviour, the star is said to have falsely accused the woman of stealing, which led to a closed-door showdown.
Claims also include laying into an intern for incorrectly spreading Marmite on her toast.
She was also reprimanded for another incident, which is said to have taken place in the BBC Five Live studio.
Naga is said to have used a crude slang term for a sex act during an off-air break — before asking a colleague if they had done it.
The comment became widely known at 5 Live, with one source describing the 2022 incident as: “Crass, inappropriate and wildly unprofessional. The person felt embarrassed.”
Despite being told off by bosses, no formal action is thought to have been taken.
Naga will continue presenter BBC Breakfast until beginning the new gig in January.
She said of the venture: “I’m thrilled to be joining 5 Live Breakfast in January. Live news, great conversations and connecting with audiences are what I love most about broadcasting, and 5 Live does all of that brilliantly.
“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.
“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.”
