BBC Breakfast Charlie Stayt's life – lavish home, on-screen row, Naga Munchetty bond

Newsreader Charlie Stayt has been a familiar face on BBC Breakfast since 2008 – but how much do you know about the star’s life away from the show?

Charlie, 60, has worked as a presenter for a number of major broadcasters and landed a role on a huge gameshow in the early noughties.

But away from the screen, he enjoys a sweet home life at his beautiful home with his wife and two children.

READ MORE: BBC Breakfast outrage as Charlie Stayt sparks uproar over ‘biased’ questions during chat

Here, Daily Star takes a closer look inside the life of the BBC Breakfast presenter.

Life before BBC Breakfast

Long before Charlie became a familiar face on BBC Breakfast, he had a variety of jobs including working as a barman, roofer and a roadie.

However after working for commercial radio in Gloucester, he got his break break as a presenter for Capital Radio’s award winning news programme, The Way It Is.

From there it was onwards and upwards, presenting current affairs programmes and reporting for LBC and BBC Radio 5 Live.

He later made the move in front of the camera as a correspondent and presenter for ITN for more than a decade, before working as a principle anchor for Five News, where he presented the broadcaster’s prime-time bulletins and half-hour live debate programmes.

Charlie made his BBC Breakfast debut in 2006 and in 2008 became a regular presenter on the morning programme, where he works alongside his good pal Naga Munchetty.

Speaking about how he copes with the early morning starts, Charlie told Radio Times: “I refuse to snooze. As soon as the alarm goes off, I am up.

“The other thing is, I embrace the siesta. It’s become a big thing for me. I sort of sit down in the afternoon and consciously do nothing. No snooze and have a siesta, that’s the formula.”

Countdown stint

Although Charlie is known for his work as a news reporter, fans may not known that he has hosted a range of reality TV series too.

The star has been the face of programmes such as Are You Telepathic, as well as co-hosting Jailbreak with Ruth England and Craig Charles in 2000 – a show that saw contestants attempt to break out of a mock prison in order to win a cash prize of £100,000.

That’s not all, as Charlie appeared in Dictionary Corner on Channel 4 gameshow Countdown in 2016 too.

Naga Munchetty bond

Charlie has formed close bonds with his fellow BBC Breakfast stars throughout the years, including co-host Naga Munchetty.

The pair present the programme from Thursday to Saturday, with Sally Nugent and Jon Kay taking over duties from Monday to Wednesday.

Naga has since referred to her and Charlie as a “duo” during an interview with Radio Times celebrating 40 years of BBC Breakfast, where they also discussed the famous red sofa.

When asked if the red sofa is comfy to sit on, Naga said: “No. It is not. It is really firm but it is very uncomfortable. We have this thing where I like to be closer to the sofa and Charlie likes to sit back. No, it’s not comfy.”

Charlie laughingly added: “That sofa will outlive all of us.”

The two have a close bond on and off screen and were recently seen letting their hair down after work as they shared a drink in Manchester, after presenting the programme from Media City, Salford.

Grant Schapps row

An on-air row between Charlie Stayt and MP Grant Schapps went viral in 2022, after the two disagreed on a reduced train timetable on the West Coast mainline.

Charlie discussed the train strikes with Transport Minister Grant, with the MP later heard saying to the news presenter: “You incorrectly told your viewers there’s only one train running from Manchester to London.

“I think that’s not the case even under the reduced timetable – there’s four trains an hour.”

However, Charlie asked if he meant “a direct train” before adding: “There’s only one an hour at the moment.”

The Transport Minister could be heard replying: “Well all I can tell you is there’s still trains running down the West Coast mainline. The strikes do not, er, enhance the situation…”

However Charlie added: “We’re getting bogged down in a detail here but I think it matters actually.

“There is only one direct train an hour between London and Manchester at the moment.”

The clip was later shared by BBC Breakfast’s Twitter page, with viewers taking to social media to discuss the BBC Breakfast interview.

The interview left viewers divided, with some praising Charlie for how he handled the situation, while others called the presenter’s actions “rude”.

One penned: “Charlie was so rude, aggressive and hostile in this interview, not what I would expect from the BBC.”

However, others flocked to social media to praise Charlie’s interview techniques, with a second saying: “Thank you Charlie Stayt for asking the questions that needed putting to Grant Shapps.”

Quiet home life

Away from the limelight, Charlie tends to keep his personal life private and does not appear to use social media.

However, it is known that he married wife Anne Frances Breckell in 1995, with Hello Magazine reporting that Anne works as a manager for a global corporation.

Charlie and Anne share two children together, called Phoebe and Jake.

The BBC website also reports that Charlie currently lives in West London.

Reports suggest they live in Twickenham, a highly desirable place to live on the River Thames that it just 10 miles from Charing Cross.

Properties in the town have an overall average price of £804,545, according to Rightmove.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk