Naga Munchetty will leave BBC Breakfast later this year after 17 years, but she has not yet departed the programme. The 51-year-old presenter usually hosts the morning show Thursday to Saturday alongside Charlie Stayt, yet she was absent this week, with co-host Rachel Burden stepping in.
Some viewers have wondered if Naga has already left, but it is believed she will remain on air until she starts her new job in the New Year. She is set to swap the iconic red sofa to front Radio 5 Live Breakfast, taking over from hosts Rachel and Rick Edwards, who announced they would be stepping down in December.
Naga's Statement on the Move
In a statement, Naga 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."
She added: "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."
Naga continued: "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."
Career and New Role Details
Naga began her career at the BBC as a presenter on business programme Working Lunch in 2008, before moving to BBC Breakfast. She already presents a mid-morning show on BBC 5 Live on weekdays.
Her new Radio 5 Live Breakfast co-host has yet to be announced, but she and the presenter will broadcast live from Salford for three days a week and then two days a week from London.
Potential Replacements
Former Breakfast stalwart Steph McGovern, News at One's Nina Warhurst, BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show's Tina Daheley, and presenter Emma Vardy are frontrunners to replace Naga, but the BBC has yet to make an announcement.
Jon Kay and Sally Nugent present BBC Breakfast Monday to Wednesday, and reports suggest Sally could take over the programme as 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."
Fans will have to wait and see who replaces Naga. BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am.
