When you meet a famous face, it can be hard to see past the headlines. But spending time with Naga Munchetty at Wimbledon gave a real insight into the woman behind the BBC Breakfast host.
We met as mutual guests of the Evian Suite during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. My impression of the broadcaster from our short time together could not have been more positive. Warm, funny and open — not the abrupt, hard-nosed presenter some might expect — we sat together in Court One enjoying an electric quarter-final clash between Jannik Sinner and German player Jen-Lennard Struff. Sinner later went on to win the tournament.
A day at Wimbledon
Firstly, she asked if I minded us speaking during the courtside action, which was a lovely touch. It soon felt very much like catching up with an old pal. We spoke about sport, marriage, work — both raising our eyebrows mid-match when we got an alert on our phones that Farage was stepping down as an MP for Clacton, triggering a by-election. We talked of our mutual love of travel, and plans this summer.
Naga even helped this pale Irishwoman put her Factor 50 on as I sat there slowly melting, laughing that her other half also has to be careful in the sun. We nipped out at one point for a vape and a gossip when the mid-30s heatwave got too much. At one point, I shared some of my parenting struggles with a SEN child, and she could not have been sweeter, telling me: 'I bet you’re a fabulous mum — life can be tough, I’m sure you’re doing everything you can.'
Departure from BBC Breakfast
Munchetty confirmed on Tuesday she was leaving BBC Breakfast after 17 years. There was a bullying probe earlier this year that I could not possibly comment on, but all I can say is, on our day at Wimbledon, she was fabulous company and gracious with everyone she met, including some fellow journalists who we joined for strawberries and cream in the suite.
We also got into a lively conversation with a lovely elderly Egyptian couple in the row behind, Naga chatting warmly to them about her own travels in the region as the match heated up. They shared that they were also excitedly waiting for Egypt’s match against Argentina, which sadly ended in tears.
New radio role
Munchetty will transition from TV to radio, co-hosting 5 Live’s Breakfast show from January, taking over from Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards. She will be very busy until then, pulling double duty until December, split between her usual TV duties and the mid-morning radio slot on 5 Live, which she has held since 2021.
I think Naga will be sorely missed in her transition, but I am also convinced she will be a real asset at her new gig. The kind of interesting, switched-on, down-to-earth career woman you would enjoy having a few drinks with. I wish her all the luck in the world.
