Naga Munchetty is leaving BBC Breakfast after 17 years to take over as presenter of Radio 5 Live Breakfast, succeeding current hosts Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, who confirmed they would stand down in December.
The 51-year-old presenter typically hosts the morning show Thursday to Saturday alongside Charlie Stayt. She was absent this week, with co-host Rachel Burden stepping in to fill her slot. It is understood Munchetty will continue to appear on air until she takes up her new role in January.
Statement from Munchetty
In a statement, Munchetty said: "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."
She added: "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.
"Over the last five years, I've been privileged to build a relationship with 5 Live listeners on the mid-morning programme and help shine a light on the issues that matter most to them."
Career background and new role details
Munchetty began her BBC career as a presenter on business programme Working Lunch in 2008, before moving to BBC Breakfast, while also fronting a weekday mid-morning show on BBC 5 Live. Her new Radio 5 Live Breakfast co-host is yet to be confirmed, though the pair will broadcast live from Salford three days a week and from London for the remaining two days.
Munchetty said: "I'm excited to build on that in the Breakfast slot and to start each day with our listeners every morning. Between now and January, I'll continue presenting the two programmes I love. I'm sure there will be plenty of news to cover, and it will very much be business as usual."
Potential successors
Former Breakfast stalwart Steph McGovern, News at One's Nina Warhurst, BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show's Tina Daheley and presenter Emma Vardy are among the leading candidates to fill Munchetty's role, though the BBC has yet to make a formal announcement. Jon Kay and Sally Nugent currently front BBC Breakfast Monday to Wednesday, with speculation mounting that Sally could take over as permanent full-time host.
According to The Sun, a source said: "Bosses were thrilled with Sally Nugent's recent interview with Nigel Farage and called down to say they wanted Sally covering more chats of that ilk. That used to be Naga's domain." Viewers will have to remain patient to discover who ultimately steps into Munchetty's role.
