Naga Munchetty Departs BBC Breakfast for Radio 5 Live

Naga Munchetty is departing BBC Breakfast after 17 years to become a co-presenter of the Radio 5 Live breakfast show. The move, confirmed by the BBC, will see her transition from the television sofa to the radio studio from January 2027. Munchetty has been a main presenter on BBC One's Breakfast for the past 12 years, typically appearing three days a week.

Changes at Radio 5 Live

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The announcement coincides with a change in the presenting line-up for Radio 5 Live’s breakfast programme. Current hosts Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards announced on Tuesday's show that they will be stepping down from their roles in December. Burden is set to move to a new mid-morning programme on the station, while Edwards will continue as the host of the Saturday morning sports quiz, Fighting Talk.

Munchetty, who currently presents BBC 5 Live's mid-morning programme three days a week, will now host the breakfast slot five days a week. She stated that presenting a flagship programme on 5 Live was an opportunity she could not pass up. She added that the role would require significant work and her full focus and energy.

“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.”

Naga Munchetty

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John McAndrew, the BBC's director of live and daily news, acknowledged that Munchetty would be greatly missed by BBC Breakfast viewers. Heidi Dawson, controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, described Munchetty as one of the UK's most accomplished broadcasters and a valued member of the 5 Live team. Dawson also paid tribute to Rachel Burden's extensive tenure on 5 Live Breakfast, highlighting her wit, intelligence, and ability to connect with listeners.

Burden, who has spent 15 years hosting 5 Live Breakfast, expressed excitement about launching her new show. Edwards commented that he would miss the audience, the team, and Burden, whom he described as a colleague, friend, and mentor. He also humorously noted his anticipation of not having to wake up at 3:45 am.

Munchetty's salary was reported to be between £360,000 and £364,999 in the 2025-26 financial year. Her replacement on BBC Breakfast has not yet been announced, and a new co-host for the 5 Live Breakfast show will be recruited.

Reports in June 2025 detailed alleged incidents that led to BBC bosses speaking with Munchetty about her conduct, occurring amid reports of behind-the-scenes tensions on BBC Breakfast and extended leave for the programme's editor. The BBC stated at the time that it did not comment on individual cases but took all conduct complaints seriously. Munchetty and the editor did not comment on these reports. The BBC has stated there is no suggestion her move and the allegations are connected.