Naga Munchetty made her comeback to the BBC Breakfast sofa on 30 July, just two days after she announced she is leaving the programme. The 51-year-old presenter had revealed her exit on 28 July after 17 years on the show.
Return to the sofa
Munchetty returned alongside co-host Charlie Stayt, two days after the shock announcement that she will join BBC Radio 5 Live to co-present its Breakfast show from January. She told fans: "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."
She also thanked her BBC Breakfast colleagues, saying: "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 confirmed she will continue presenting BBC Breakfast until her departure in January, assuring viewers it will be "very much business as usual" in the meantime.
Departure announcement and replacement speculation
Her BBC Breakfast colleagues Sally Nugent and Jon Kay revealed the news live on air on 28 July, moments after Munchetty had confirmed her departure on 5 Live. Jon Kay told viewers: "Our friend and colleague Naga Munchetty has announced that she will be leaving BBC Breakfast to co-present the BBC 5 Live Breakfast Show from January next year."
Focus has quickly shifted to who will replace her. Betway have made Nina Warhurst the 7/4 frontrunner to join Charlie Stayt. Warhurst previously served as a presenter on BBC Breakfast before moving on to anchor BBC News at One. She joined BBC Breakfast in 2018 and in October 2020 replaced Steph McGovern as the programme's chief business presenter before transferring to BBC News at One last year.
