Naga Munchetty’s BBC Breakfast absence in late September 2026 was simply a short holiday. The presenter was missing from the red sofa for three days while enjoying a golfing break in Inverness, Scotland. Her departure comes as she prepares for a major career change.
Why Was Naga Munchetty Absent from BBC Breakfast?
Munchetty was absent from her usual co-hosting seat alongside Charlie Stayt on Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the final week of September 2026. She typically fronts the BBC’s flagship morning programme on those days. Presenter and royal correspondent Sarah Campbell stepped in to cover her shifts, with viewers praising Campbell’s hosting duties on social media.
The 51-year-old broadcaster took to Instagram on Sunday to explain her whereabouts. She revealed she had enjoyed a mini golfing break with friends in Inverness, sharing photos of a golf course overlooking the sea. Her caption read: “My happy place. Friends, giggles and Golf (of course). Haste ye back”. The hashtag #castlestuartgolflinks indicated the location of her Scottish getaway.
Fans expressed relief upon learning she was only away for a holiday rather than something more concerning. One follower commented: “Hope you’re having a lovely time, wondered why you weren’t on Breakfast”. Another admitted: “Oh I see now! I was worried you weren’t coming back!”. A third asked when she would return to television.
The Bigger Context: Her Departure from BBC Breakfast
The holiday came amid a significant career transition for Munchetty. The BBC announced in July 2026 that she would leave BBC Breakfast after 17 years to become a co-presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. She has been one of the main hosts on BBC One’s Breakfast for the past 12 years, presenting the programme three days a week while also hosting 5 Live’s mid-morning programme.
Munchetty is expected to make her final appearance on BBC Breakfast in December 2026 before officially starting her new radio role in January 2027. She will take over from current 5 Live Breakfast hosts Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, who announced they would step down in December. Burden will move to present the weekday mid-morning programme, Monday to Wednesday, following 15 years on the station’s breakfast show. Edwards will continue hosting the weekend sport quiz Fighting Talk.
Her New Role at BBC Radio 5 Live
From January 2027, Munchetty will co-present 5 Live Breakfast five days a week, Monday to Friday. She will broadcast live from Salford for three days and London for two days each week. A new co-host will be recruited to join her in the radio studio, with further details to be announced in due course.
Munchetty has been a familiar voice to 5 Live listeners since January 2021, when she began presenting the station’s weekday mid-morning programme. During her time on that show, she led conversations on major stories and championed discussions on issues including women’s health.
Heidi Dawson, Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, said: “Naga is one of the UK’s most accomplished broadcasters and a hugely valued member of the 5 Live family. Since joining the station, she has led thoughtful and impactful conversations on everything from breaking news to women’s health, sport and social issues, building a strong connection with our listeners. We’re delighted she’ll be bringing her journalistic rigour, curiosity and energy to 5 Live Breakfast”.Quick Bio: Naga Munchetty
Her Statement on the Move
Munchetty described the radio opportunity as “simply too good to pass up” in her official statement. She said: “I’m thrilled to be joining 5 Live Breakfast in January. Live news, great conversations and connecting with audiences are what I love most about broadcasting, and 5 Live does all of that brilliantly”.
She also reflected on her time at BBC Breakfast, calling it “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”. Regarding her new role, she added: “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”.
John McAndrew, the BBC’s Director of Live and Daily News, said Munchetty would be “hugely missed by the millions of viewers who’ve welcomed her into their homes each week.” He added: “I’m very pleased that Naga will be staying with the BBC and I wish her the best of luck at 5 Live”.
Reports Surrounding Her Departure
Munchetty’s departure from BBC Breakfast followed a turbulent period. She was reportedly placed under review in summer 2025 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”. The presenter was also accused of telling off an intern over the quality of her Marmite on toast.
The investigation was reportedly “quietly closed” and the outcome was never made public, according to The Sun. Munchetty has never publicly commented on the claims. The BBC has consistently declined to comment on individual HR matters.
These reports come with an important caveat. The bullying allegations and investigation details are media reports from outlets including The Sun, The Mirror and the Daily Mail, and have not been officially confirmed by the BBC. The BBC has stated it does not comment on individual cases but takes all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously.
Munchetty also faced viewer backlash in April 2026 for seemingly “rude” comments towards weather presenter Carol Kirkwood during Kirkwood’s final day on BBC Breakfast. After the backlash, sources insisted the pair are “close personal friends”.
What’s Next for Naga Munchetty?
Between now and January 2027, Munchetty will continue presenting both her BBC Breakfast shifts and her Radio 5 Live mid-morning programme. She stated: “I’m sure there will be plenty of news to cover, and it will very much be business as usual”. Her final BBC Breakfast appearance is expected in December 2026, after which she will focus entirely on her new radio role.
Munchetty’s move represents a significant shift for the broadcaster. She is among the best-paid presenters on the BBC’s star salaries list, earning approximately £360,000 a year, according to the latest accounts. At BBC Breakfast, she has interviewed major figures including Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Sir Keir Starmer, Sir David Attenborough and Sir Rod Stewart. She also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.
Her new role will see her reach listeners rather than viewers. BBC Breakfast has a daily average audience of approximately 6.8 million, while 5 Live Breakfast reaches around 1.4 million weekly listeners. Despite the smaller audience, Munchetty described the opportunity as a chance for a “new challenge” after many years on television.
For now, Munchetty appears to be enjoying some downtime before her next chapter begins. Her golfing holiday in Inverness offered a brief respite before she returns to the red sofa for her final months on BBC Breakfast.
When is Naga Munchetty leaving BBC Breakfast?
She will leave in December 2026 after 17 years on the programme. Her final appearance is expected before she starts her new role at BBC Radio 5 Live in January 2027 .
Why was Naga Munchetty absent from BBC Breakfast in late September 2026?
She was on a short golfing holiday in Inverness, Scotland with friends. She shared photos on Instagram and returned to the show after three days. Sarah Campbell covered her shifts during her absence .
Where is Naga Munchetty going after BBC Breakfast?
She will become co-presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast from January 2027, hosting the flagship morning programme five days a week. She takes over from Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards .
Who will replace Naga Munchetty on BBC Breakfast?
No permanent replacement has been announced yet. Sally Nugent is reportedly seen by bosses as the future of the show, while names like Steph McGovern and Victoria Derbyshire have been rumoured in media reports .
Was there an investigation into Naga Munchetty before she left?
Media reports claimed she faced a bullying investigation, but the outcome was never publicly confirmed. The BBC declined to comment on individual HR matters. Munchetty has never publicly addressed the allegations .
