Naga Munchetty has announced her departure from BBC Breakfast after 17 years, moving to present BBC Radio 5 Live's flagship morning programme. She will take over from Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards.
Munchetty, 51, will continue to host BBC Breakfast alongside Charlie Stayt until January, with her replacement set to be announced in due course.
Statement from Naga Munchetty
"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," Munchetty said. "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."
Reactions from colleagues and fans
Sally Nugent and Jon Kay announced the news during Tuesday's live episode of BBC Breakfast, with fans quickly sharing their thoughts on X.
"Not Naga Munchetty leaving breakfast tv. I liked watching her on the weekends with Charlie," one user wrote. Another added: "Gutted to hear you are on your way out of @BBCBreakfast, Naga dear @TVNaga01 my mornings will never be the same." A third said: "I actually like Naga, I will miss her with Charlie on Thursday to Saturday."
Rachel Burden, who is moving to 5 Live's mid-morning show, said: "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. It's been an absolute joy and privilege to be part of our listeners' mornings for all these years. We have been through life-changing events together - from the pandemic to huge political moments, and great sporting journeys. They are my extended family, and we'll carry on doing what we do best - telling stories, sharing experiences and working out the world together. Just this time, on a little bit more sleep."
Rick Edwards added: "The annoying part for me is that five years on a breakfast show is a decent stint, but next to Rachel's 15-year marathon, it does look inconsequential. I'll really miss our wonderful audience, I'll miss the fantastic team, I'll miss regularly eating cake before dawn, but most of all I'll miss Rach - a colleague who has become a friend, and also a mentor, because she's so much older than me. Two things I am of course looking forward to are not waking up at 3.45am, and vaping without fear of violent recrimination. I'm so grateful to 5 Live for all the opportunities they've afforded me - from going to World Cups in far flung locations, to vox pops in covered markets in the Greater Manchester area. Who knows what they have in store for me next? That's not a rhetorical question. Who do I need to speak to?"
The news of Munchetty's departure comes months after the BBC Breakfast team said goodbye to long-serving meteorologist Carol Kirkwood.
