Naga Munchetty was missing from the BBC Breakfast presenting line-up on Saturday, August 1, with journalist Emma Vardy stepping in for the show. The 51-year-old usually co-hosts the programme with Charlie Stayt from Thursday to Saturday and had appeared alongside him on Friday, July 31.
Her absence came days after it was announced that she will leave BBC Breakfast after 17 years. The BBC did not provide any updates or comments regarding her absence from the famous red sofa.
New role at Radio 5 Live
Munchetty is set to become the new co-presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live's breakfast programme, taking the helm five days a week from January 2027. The co-host she will join has yet to be appointed, the BBC confirmed. She has hosted the station's weekday mid-morning programme since 2021.
The move follows the announcement by current 5 Live Breakfast hosts Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, who revealed during Tuesday's broadcast that they will leave the breakfast show in December. As part of the changes, Rachel Burden will move to present the weekday mid-morning programme, Monday to Wednesday 11-2pm, following 15 years on the station's Breakfast show.
Naga's announcement
Earlier this week, Naga shared the news on Instagram, reposting the official BBC 5 Live statement and a clip of Rachel and Rick announcing their departure. The caption read:
"5 Live Breakfast hosts, Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, announced this morning that they will step down in December. Naga Munchetty will become the new co-presenter of 5 Live Breakfast, taking the helm of the station’s flagship morning programme five days a week from January 2027. As part of the changes, Rachel Burden will move to present the weekday mid-morning programme, Monday to Wednesday 11-2pm, following 15 years on the station’s Breakfast show."
Opening up on her new role, Naga said in a statement: "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."
"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."
Until January
Munchetty also mentioned that she will continue presenting both BBC Breakfast and Radio 5 Live from now until January. BBC Breakfast airs Monday to Sunday from 6am on BBC One.
