Naga Munchetty has announced she is leaving BBC Breakfast after 17 years on the show to join BBC Radio 5 Live, and her co-host Sally Nugent has sent a congratulatory message to the presenter
Sally Nugent is rallying behind her long-standing colleague, Naga Munchetty, as she gears up to depart BBC Breakfast. After the announcement that Naga, who became part of the programme in 2009, would be concluding her 17-year stint on the sofa, Sally responded on Instagram.
“Congratulations @tvnaga,” she posted on her story, acknowledging Naga’s fresh opportunity as a co-host on BBC Radio 5’s live breakfast programme. She is scheduled to begin her new position in January, while pledging “business as usual” in the interim.
A shocking twist and the conclusion of an epoch, Naga revealed that she would be departing BBC Breakfast during a conversation with Radio 5 Live presenters, Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, both of whom will exit in December.
“It is exciting news, it is exciting news. A change is… they say a change is as good as a rest, don’t they?” Naga remarked on Tuesday morning.
“And I think Rachel, you put it really well. The audience we serve is brilliant and honest and kind and engaged, and here at 5 Live, I mean, I’ve been at 5 Live for, what, five years? And had the mid-morning show,” Naga went on. “Obviously, as well on BBC Breakfast, and it’s just time for a new challenge, and when things worked out, we kind of heard stuff, I think our controller put her hands together and thought, ‘Right, what can I conjure up?’.”, reports the Express.
“Both you, Rick, and Rachel, I feel an immense loyalty to our audience and have built an audience and an interest in the mid-mornings that I know Rachel will continue and be brilliant at. I hope to come in, and it’s kind of all change, but not all change, because hopefully, familiar voices, familiar attitude – it will feel very consistent.”
While the identity of Naga’s future co-host remains under wraps, the television personality teased that viewers would discover more in “due time”. Looking back on her exit from BBC Breakfast, the broadcaster enthused: “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.”
Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.
