Rachel Burden struggled to contain her emotions as she announced she is stepping down from BBC Radio 5 Live's Breakfast show after 15 years. The 51-year-old presenter will be replaced by Naga Munchetty, who will take the helm of the flagship morning programme from January 2027.
Emotional on-air announcement
Burden, who has co-presented the show since 2011, told listeners: 'I have some news to share, with you, ah, I really need to try and keep it together.' She added: 'I said I'd keep it together! We (her and Rick) have been working together on 5 Live Breakfast for five years now, and I have been co-presenting this show for over 15 years.'
She continued: 'And I have loved, I think, almost every single minute of it. But we have both been thinking a lot in recent months about what comes next, and I guess how we meet sort of shifting priorities in our lives.'
Co-host Rick Edwards also leaving
Burden and her co-host Rick Edwards will both step down in December, the station confirmed. In a social media post, BBC Radio 5 Live shared the news, adding that Naga Munchetty will become the new co-presenter of 5 Live Breakfast five days a week from January 2027.
As part of the changes, Burden will move to present the weekday mid-morning programme from 11am to 2pm, Monday to Wednesday.
Naga Munchetty's excitement
Naga Munchetty said of her new role: '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.'
Munchetty 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.'
She said: '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.'
Munchetty will continue presenting her current programmes until January, noting: '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.'
