Naga Munchetty made her return to the BBC Breakfast sofa on Thursday for the first time since confirming her departure from the programme she has hosted for 17 years.
The 51-year-old presenter was back alongside co-host Charlie Stayt on July 30, just two days after announcing she will leave BBC Breakfast to join Radio 5 Live, where she will co-present the station's Breakfast show from January.
Reasons for the Move
Munchetty broke the news on Tuesday and quickly expressed her excitement, saying: "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 paid tribute to her colleagues, adding: "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."
Future Plans
Munchetty confirmed she will continue presenting BBC Breakfast right up until her January departure, insisting it will be "very much business as usual" in the meantime.
Her colleagues Sally Nugent and Jon Kay broke the story live on air on Tuesday, shortly after Munchetty confirmed her exit on 5 Live. Jon 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."
Who Will Replace Naga?
With Munchetty's departure confirmed, attention has turned to her replacement. Bookmakers Betway have installed Nina Warhurst as the 7/4 favourite to step in alongside Charlie Stayt.
Warhurst is a familiar face on BBC Breakfast, having stood in as host before fronting BBC News at One. She joined the show in 2018 and became the main business presenter in 2020 before moving to BBC News at One last year.
Other contenders include BBC journalists Tina Daheley at 4/1, Emma Vardy at 7/1, and current BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay at 8/1. Rachel Burden, Ben Thompson, and Luxmy Gopal are each at 10/1, with Today programme regular Anna Foster at 25/1 and veteran broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire at 40/1.
BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am.
