Naga Munchetty Departs BBC Breakfast After 17 Years for Radio 5 Live Role
Naga Munchetty, a familiar face on BBC Breakfast for nearly two decades, is set to leave the flagship morning show to become the new co-presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live’s breakfast programme. The move, announced in late 2025, marks a significant shift in her career after 17 years with the television programme, including 12 years as one of its main presenters. Munchetty will continue her association with the BBC, transitioning to radio where she will front the 5 Live Breakfast show from January 2026.
The change comes amid a turbulent period for the presenter. Munchetty faced an internal BBC investigation over allegations of bullying and making an inappropriate comment in the workplace. While the probe was ongoing, she was allowed to remain on-air but reportedly worked only with certain producers. The BBC has not disclosed the outcome of the investigation, but Munchetty’s move to a new role suggests a resolution has been reached. She will be joined by a yet-to-be-recruited co-host, replacing current 5 Live Breakfast hosts Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, who announced their departure in December 2025.
Under the new arrangement, Munchetty will broadcast live from Salford for three days a week and from London for the remaining two, maintaining a hybrid working pattern. She has hosted the station’s weekday mid-morning programme since 2021, and her experience is expected to bring continuity to the breakfast slot. Her departure from BBC Breakfast ends a 17-year tenure that began when she joined as a finance reporter, eventually becoming a household name alongside co-hosts like Charlie Stayt and Dan Walker.
The transition highlights the BBC’s efforts to refresh its programming while retaining established talent. For Munchetty, the move to radio offers a new challenge and a chance to step away from the intense scrutiny of television. As she prepares to take the helm of 5 Live Breakfast, listeners can expect her trademark directness and journalistic rigor to shape the agenda each morning.
Shimanta Das 
