Following the news of her surprise exit, BBC Breakfast star Naga Munchetty was missing from her usual presenting slot on Saturday morning.
Naga announced she was leaving BBC Breakfast after 17 years (Image: BBC)
BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty was noticeably absent during the latest episode of the popular news show.
The 51-year-old normally co-hosts the morning programme alongside Charlie Stayt from Thursday to Saturday and appeared on the show on Friday (July 31st). But on August 1st, BBC Breakfast underwent a presenter shake-up as Naga was replaced by journalist Emma Vardy.
The BBC did not provide any updates or comments regarding Naga’s absence from the famous red sofa. But her leave comes after it was announced that Naga is set to step down from BBC Breakfast after 17 years to take on a new role as co-presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live’s breakfast programme.
Her move follows the announcement by current hosts Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, who revealed during Tuesday’s broadcast that they will leave the breakfast show in December.
Munchetty, who has hosted Radio 5 Live’s weekday mid-morning programme since 2021, will join the station’s flagship breakfast slot alongside a new co-host, who is yet to be appointed, the BBC confirmed.
Earlier this week, Naga shared the news on her Instagram, reposting the statement from the official BBC 5 Live account and the clip of Rachel and Rick announcing their departure.
The caption read: “5 Live Breakfast hosts, Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, announced this morning that they will step down in December.
“Naga Munchetty will become the new co-presenter of 5 Live Breakfast, taking the helm of the station’s flagship morning programme five days a week from January 2027.
“As part of the changes, Rachel Burden will move to present the weekday mid-morning programme, Monday to Wednesday 11-2pm, following 15 years on the station’s Breakfast show.”
Opening up on her new role, Naga said in a statement: “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 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 star also mentioned that she will continue to present both BBC Breakfast and Radio 5 Live from now until January.
BBC Breakfast airs Mondays-Sundays from 6am on BBC One.