Vanessa Feltz has spoken out over claims Naga Munchetty has been “rude” to younger members of staff.
In June, the BBC Breakfast presenter, 50, was accused of “bullying” a female colleague and making an off-air sex joke.
Last week, it was alleged that Munchetty scolded an intern for the way they spread Marmite on her toast at the BBC’s flagship morning show.
Feltz has now defended the fellow TV journalist and urged critics to understand the pressures of live television.
“Before judging Naga for any diva-like behaviour, consider the demands of live early morning TV. There's no time for politeness,” the Celebs Go Dating star wrote in her Daily Express column.
“With no ad breaks, BBC presenters, who have been up since 3am, have to swallow snacks at speed while producers bark directions in their earpieces and hair and makeup staff descend to touch-up.”
Feltz went on: “A swift, mildly rattled ‘could you go easy on the Marmite?’ might sound hostile to an inexperienced intern, but the chances are it's not meant to be anything but short sharp communication from someone harangued and hungry.”
Last week, The Sun claimed Munchetty was irate with an intern over how they prepared her toast.
A source added to the Daily Mail: “She's an absolute nightmare. She has a reputation for going at young members of staff and making them out to be fools.”
The Standard has contacted Munchetty’s representative for comment.
The BBC said: “While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously.”
Munchetty usually presents BBC Breakfast alongside co-star Charlie Stayt, 63, every Thursday to Saturday, while Jon Kay, 55, and Sally Nugent, 54, host at the beginning of the week.
Munchetty and Stayt are being assessed and are under review after concerns were raised about their behaviour behind the scenes, according to a report from The Sun last week.
An external HR adviser from consultancy firm PwC has reportedly been working with the BBC to examine workplace culture on the long-running programme.
A source told the outlet: “A number of people have come forward to share their experiences with Charlie, so the BBC has officially moved to place the complaints under review.
“Charlie and Naga will be assessed separately.”
Staff are said to have raised concerns about “rudeness”, “bullying”, and conduct that allegedly undermined team members.
It comes after BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani stepped away from his role for an extended period following a series of bullying allegations.
Munchetty, who joined the show in 2014, has reportedly been spoken to by bosses over two separate incidents in a three-year period.
The Radio 5 Live presenter was allegedly spoken to by senior BBC figures after reportedly making a sex-related remark during her radio show.
It’s claimed she used a crude slang term and asked a colleague whether they had ever performed the act in question.
Last month, it was reported that she is weighing up her future at the BBC, despite receiving a £10,000 pay rise and remaining one of the broadcaster’s top-paid stars.
It was alleged that she is said to be considering a move to rival station LBC due to the recent alleged internal controversies.
