Naga Munchetty is to leave BBC Breakfast after 17 years on the flagship television show to become co-presenter of Radio 5 Live’s breakfast programme. The move comes as the current 5 Live Breakfast hosts, Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, said on Tuesday’s programme that they will step down in December.
Munchetty, who has presented the station’s weekday mid-morning programme since 2021, will move to 5 Live Breakfast alongside a new co-host to be recruited in due course, the BBC said. The move comes after reports that Munchetty has faced allegations of bullying, but there has been no suggestion her move and the allegations are connected.
How has the BBC responded?
The BBC has been contacted for comment, but at the time that the bullying allegations were reported it said:
“We do not comment on individual HR matters.”
What did Munchetty say about the move?
Munchetty said of her move:
“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 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.
“Over the last five years, I’ve been privileged to build a relationship with 5 Live listeners on the mid-morning programme and help shine a light on the issues that matter most to them. I’m excited to build on that in the Breakfast slot and to start each day with our listeners every morning.
“Between now and January, I’ll continue presenting the two programmes I love. I’m sure there will be plenty of news to cover, and it will very much be business as usual.”
Who is replacing Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards?
Burden will move to present the weekday mid-morning programme, Monday to Wednesday from 11am to 2pm, after 15 years on the station’s breakfast show, while Edwards will continue to front Fighting Talk on Saturday mornings. Munchetty will join the breakfast programme in January with a new co-host to be announced in due course.
What else has been revealed about Munchetty?
It was revealed earlier this month that Munchetty earned between £360,000 and £364,999 in the 2025-26 financial year.
Key Facts
- Naga Munchetty will leave BBC Breakfast after 17 years.
- She will become co-presenter of Radio 5 Live’s breakfast show in January.
- Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards will step down from 5 Live Breakfast in December.
- Burden will move to the weekday mid-morning programme, Monday to Wednesday from 11am to 2pm.
- Munchetty earned between £360,000 and £364,999 in the 2025-26 financial year.
