Naga Munchetty has announced she is leaving BBC Breakfast after 17 years on the programme, moving to co-present 5 Live Breakfast in January. She will replace Rachel Burden, who is shifting to the mid-morning slot.
Munchetty described the news as "exciting" and quipped: "A change is as good as a rest, don't they?"
Unrest Behind the Scenes
Sources told The Mirror that the atmosphere on the Breakfast set had been strained. One insider said: "The new job for Naga seems the best result for everyone. It was not a happy ship on Breakfast. However you look at it, hosting BBC Breakfast is a much bigger job than working on Five Live." Another added: "After all the turmoil, it's clear a reset is needed."
Munchetty's Statement
In a statement, Munchetty said: "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. Presenting a flagship programme on 5 Live is an opportunity that was simply too good to pass up."
She added: "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. 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."
