Rumors are swirling that BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty might be preparing to say goodbye to the red sofa, with reports suggesting her representatives are back in talks with LBC about a possible move.
The whispers come not long after Naga was revealed to be the fourth highest-paid woman at the BBC, pulling in between £355,000 and £359,000 according to the broadcaster’s latest salary disclosure — a figure that includes her contributions to Radio 5 Live, reported the Daily Record.
Despite the eye-catching pay, it’s believed Naga is considering her future at the BBC, especially in light of recent behind-the-scenes tensions on the Breakfast program. The atmosphere on set has apparently been far from cosy, with an ongoing bullying row casting a long shadow over the show.
It all started when an independent investigation was launched into director Richard Frediani, who had been accused of running things with a “draconian” management style. But while the spotlight was firmly on Frediani at first, sources say the fallout soon shifted towards Naga herself.
“The fallout of Frediani’s investigation created a stark ‘him or her’ narrative on Breakfast with Naga flung to the front line,” a source told The Sun. “The fact is she loves the BBC and her job but there’s only so much external noise anyone is prepared to take.”
There’s talk that Naga’s team had already made contact with both LBC and Sky News in the past, but with the tensions rising again on Breakfast, those conversations with LBC have reportedly been rekindled.
It’s not hard to see why she might be tempted. LBC’s approach is more no-nonsense and news-led, and as one insider put it to the Express, “there’s far less of the fluffy nonsense involved in working at the BBC.”
Frediani, who had been on extended leave during the investigation, has now returned to the show. It’s understood he was the subject of two separate misconduct complaints, though the BBC hasn’t commented directly on the details.
A spokesperson simply told Express: “While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously.”
Meanwhile, it’s also been noted that Naga isn’t alone in earning big at the BBC. Her Breakfast co-host Charlie Stayt is reported to make £190,000, with Sally Nugent on £200,000 and Jon Kay earning around £240,000.
Naga currently fronts the show three days a week and has been a familiar face on British morning telly for years. But with the pressure building behind the scenes and a tempting new opportunity potentially on the table, fans might soon be waking up to a very different BBC lineup. Whether she’s really ready to leap or not, the noise around her next move isn’t likely to quieten down any time soon.
Don’t Miss These:
- Starmer Pledges Continued Pension Rises Under Triple Lock Policy
- Naga Munchetty Considering BBC Exit Amid Set Tensions and LBC Talks
- William and Kate Refuse to Reunite with Harry Without One Major Condition
- Lorraine Kelly Quits ITV Comfort Zone for Dream Travel Gig on Channel 4
- Farage Wants to Scrap the Two Child Benefit Cap but Critics Say He Helped Create It
