Naga Munchetty's co-host for her upcoming BBC Radio 5 Live morning show has been announced as broadcaster Steffan Powell. The 51-year-old presenter is leaving BBC Breakfast at the end of this year after facing reported accusations of bullying in 2025.
Munchetty is moving to BBC Radio 5 Live's breakfast slot in mid-January 2027, taking over from longtime hosts Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards.
Powell Joins Munchetty on 5 Live Breakfast
The BBC has confirmed that Powell, who currently co-hosts 5 Live Breakfast on Fridays and Sundays and regularly presents programmes across the network, will join her. Powell admitted he has "impressively large shoes to fill" but is ready for the "challenge".
"I'm delighted, thrilled, excited. I really could go on... BBC Radio 5 Live holds a special place in my heart. It's one of the reasons I trained to be a journalist, and to be trusted, all these years later, to look after its Breakfast show full-time is a privilege," he said.
Powell went on: "I can't wait to get started, and to sit alongside a genuine legend of British journalism every day is going to be a joy. Who better to be having a morning cup of tea with while tackling the big issues than Naga Munchetty?!"
"Together, Naga and I will put listeners first, cut through the noise and try to make sense of what's going on in the world. There is so much happening at home, abroad and on people's social media feeds."
"There are some impressively large shoes to fill, but I'm excited about the challenge."
BBC Executives Praise Powell's Appointment
Richard Maddock, head of BBC Radio 5 Live, added: "Steffan has been a hugely valued part of the 5 Live team for many years now and has a fantastic relationship with our listeners."
"He is a brilliant broadcaster with sharp journalistic instincts, infectious enthusiasm and a genuine ability to connect with audiences across the whole of the UK. Whether he's reporting on a major news story or a big sporting event, he brings warmth, intelligence and curiosity to everything he does."
"I'm delighted he'll be joining Naga on Breakfast and helping lead our flagship programme into its next chapter."
Munchetty's Departure and Allegations
Munchetty is expected to make her final appearance on BBC Breakfast in December after 17 years on the show. Her colleague Sally Nugent, 54, is reportedly being lined up as her replacement.
Her decision to leave comes after she was reportedly placed under review last summer following complaints of bullying over a three-year period. The broadcaster was accused of bullying a female colleague and making a "wildly unprofessional" off-air sex joke that left a co-worker "humiliated".
In 2022, she allegedly used a crude word for a sex act and asked a colleague if they had done it. The exact comment hasn't been reported, however one source claimed it was, "crass, inappropriate and wildly unprofessional," and added: "The person felt embarrassed."
In a separate alleged incident, Munchetty was accused of telling off an intern over the quality of her Marmite on toast. The investigation is understood to have been "quietly closed" and the outcome was never made public.
