Naga Munchetty Exits BBC One's Breakfast After 17 Years

Presenter Naga Munchetty will leave her BBC Breakfast co-hosting role, which she has held for 17 years, the BBC has said.

The legendary journalist will move to another morning staple, however – she’s heading to pastures new at Radio 5 Live’s breakfast show.

Naga, who joined BBC Breakfast as a finance reporter 17 years ago, has been one of its main presenters for the last 12 years.

She already presents some Radio 5 Live shows, though these are usually mid-morning shows. 

Starting in December of this year, though, she’ll do the job on 5 Live Breakfast five days a week. 

In a statement, Naga said: “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.”

The presenter has become known for grilling politicians on air, as well as sharing some of the show’s lighter moments with her audience.

Fellow BBC Breakfast host Jon Kay joked: “How are we going to help [Naga’s co-host Charlie Stayt] through this? We need to think about a leaving present as well... We’ll give her a proper farewell, we’ll do that later in the year.”

The news comes months after BBC Breakfast bid farewell to long-time presenter Carol Kirkwood.

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