Naga Munchetty has announced she is quitting BBC Breakfast after 17 years on the show following a reported investigation into her conduct.
The host, 51, was reportedly placed under review last August following complaints of bullying over a three-year period.
She was accused of bullying a female colleague and making a “wildly unprofessional” off-air sex joke that left a co-worker “humiliated”.
It was later claimed Munchetty was allowed to remain at the show under strict conditions while an official investigation took place.
Now, Munchetty has revealed she is moving to BBC Radio 5 Live where she will present its flagship morning programme from January 2027.
The host - who was also recently accused of being “rude” to former colleague Carol Kirkwood - said on Tuesday: “I'm thrilled to be joining 5 Live Breakfast in January.”
Munchetty added: “Live news, great conversations and connecting with audiences are what I love most about broadcasting, and 5 Live does all of that brilliantly. 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.
“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."
The TV host - who earns up to £365,000 at the BBC - presents BBC Breakfast alongside Charlie Stayt every Thursday to Saturday, having joined the show in 2014.
She was accused last year of being “hard” and “bullying” her coworkers and came under fire for two alleged incidents over a three-year period, according to a number of sources.
She allegedly used a crude word for a sex act and asked a colleague if they had done it in 2022.
The exact comment hasn’t been reported, however one source claimed it was, “crass, inappropriate and wildly unprofessional. The person felt embarrassed”.
Munchetty was also accused of bullying a woman last year, with The Sun claiming she allegedly accused a younger staffer of stealing, without presenting evidence.
“It was humiliating. There was no evidence, no apology. The woman left not long after, completely demoralised,” an insider said.
In November, BBC bosses reportedly escalated their review into an official investigation into Munchetty’s alleged behaviour after more complaints were made.
It was later claimed the broadcaster assigned watchdogs to keep a close eye on Munchetty in the studios while the probe took place and she was allowed to remain on-air but would have members of production monitoring her.
The outcome of the investigation has not been publicly revealed. The Standard contacted Munchetty’s representative for comment at the time.
Munchetty also faced backlash recently for making seemingly “rude” comments towards Carol Kirkwood, 63, during the weather presenter’s last day in April.
She made a series of playful remarks that viewers claimed were intended to “embarrass” Kirkwood, with some even speculating that the pair “really don’t get on” behind-the-scenes.
Several colleagues joined Kirkwood on the sofa to bid farewell including Dan Walker, Mike Bushell, Matt Taylor, who will replace Kirkwood as weather presenter, and Munchetty.
Kirkwood appeared surprised that Munchetty was in the studio, saying: “Thank you all for coming - and even you, Nags!”
Munchetty said with a deadpan expression, “I’m just waiting for the countdown for you to go!” before laughing.
She then presented Kirkwood with a framed illustration by Mr Men artist Adam Hargreaves, portraying her as Little Miss Sunshine in a nod to her career as a weather correspondent.
After a special weather-themed cake was brought over to Kirkwood, she quipped: “Are you going to break the habit of a lifetime and actually share the cake?”
Kirkwood replied, “No, Naga, absolutely not - why would I do that?” and Munchetty responded: “Exactly. Why change it? We're only going to remember you one way.”
After the backlash, a TV insider told The Sun: “Naga and Carol have been very close personal friends for many years, as well as being very good colleagues as part of the BBC Breakfast Team.
“Everyone involved in Carol Kirkwood’s last programme for Breakfast on 1 April was there to pay tribute to Carol’s long service for the BBC, and they all did so fittingly.”
