Naga Munchetty quits BBC Breakfast after 17 years as she lands new job with BBC Radio 5 Live
Naga says she is 'thrilled' with her new gigNaga Munchetty is leaving BBC Breakfast after 17 years in a move likely to shock viewers.
The broadcaster, 51, will be taking over BBC Radio 5’s flagship morning show instead.
She will replace Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, who will be stepping down in December.
Naga Munchetty quits BBC Breakfast after 17 years
Naga announced her career news in a statement, saying she is “thrilled” with her new Radio 5 gig. She confirmed she will be fronting 5 Live Breakfast in the new year.
She will have a co-host on the show, however the BBC is yet to confirm who this will be.
“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,” 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.”
Naga is already familiar with BBC Radio 5 listeners. She has hosted the weekday mid-morning show since January 2021.
She continued: “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.”
Naga’s big pay rise
Naga’s surprise move follows wider changes at 5 Live. Current host Rachel Burden will shift to the mid-morning slot from Monday to Wednesday after 15 years in breakfast radio.
Rick Edwards will host Fighting Talk on Saturday mornings. He will also contribute to other programmes.
The promotion also follows Munchetty’s pay rise earlier this month. Her salary rose to between £360,000 and £364,999 a year.
That placed her at number eight on the BBC’s list of highest-paid stars. The figure covers only people paid directly by the corporation.
A BBC 5 Live insider told the Daily Mail: “It’s a big promotion for her – and a massive coup for us.”
Heidi Dawson, controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, praised Naga as “one of the UK’s most accomplished broadcasters and a hugely valued member of the 5 Live family”.
Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards confirm 5 Live Breakfast exit
Meanwhile, speaking about her own job shuffle, Rachel said: “After 15 years hosting 5 Live Breakfast, I’ve decided it’s time for a change – and I’m really excited about launching my new show on the station.
“It’s been an absolute joy and privilege to be part of our listeners’ mornings for all these years. We have been through life-changing events together – from the pandemic to huge political moments, and great sporting journeys.
“They are my extended family, and we’ll carry on doing what we do best – telling stories, sharing experiences and working out the world together. Just this time, on a little bit more sleep.”
Rick added: “The annoying part for me is that five years on a breakfast show is a decent stint, but next to Rachel’s 15-year marathon, it does look inconsequential.
“I’ll really miss our wonderful audience, I’ll miss the fantastic team, I’ll miss regularly eating cake before dawn, but most of all I’ll miss Rach – a colleague who has become a friend, and also a mentor, because she’s so much older than me.
“Two things I am of course looking forward to are not waking up at 3.45am, and vaping without fear of violent recrimination.”
