Emma Vardy will present BBC Breakfast for a second consecutive week, the programme confirmed, stepping into regular weekday presenting duties while the broadcaster reviews complaints about long-serving host Naga Munchetty.
Vardy, 44, told viewers on the programme on Sunday that she would be on the show "for a while," saying she would be setting her alarm for 4 a.m. as she took shifts alongside co-presenter Ben Boulos. Naga Munchetty has continued to appear on some editions of the show, returning to present on Saturday alongside Charlie Stayt.
The BBC described the current matter as an internal review. Media reports say the review relates to allegations of "hard" or high-handed behaviour by Munchetty toward colleagues. The programme did not announce a timeline for the review or whether the presenter would return to a full schedule if the process clears her.
Munchetty, who has presented BBC Breakfast for several years and has recently resumed on-air work after returning from a posting in Los Angeles, was reported in June to be the subject of complaints over incidents said to have taken place over the past three years. Reports have said one complaint alleging bullying of a junior member of staff was not upheld. Other reports have catalogued a range of workplace grievances, described by some former staff as examples of abrasive behaviour.
Emma Vardy has previously deputised on the morning programme, including earlier this year when presenter Nina Warhurst was on maternity leave. Viewers on social media welcomed Vardy's return, praising her presenting style and calling for more shifts. Some posts directly contrasted their reaction to Vardy with criticism of Munchetty, and asked whether Vardy would become a permanent fixture.
The BBC has not provided further detail about the scope of the review or how many complaints are under consideration. Media organisations reported that Munchetty and co-presenter Charlie Stayt were both subjects of enquiries. The broadcaster typically treats personnel matters as internal and declines to disclose details of investigations while they are ongoing.
Munchetty has recently used social media to note her return to on-air duties after her work as the BBC's Los Angeles correspondent, posting light-hearted comments about being "back with the @BBCBreakfast gang." The BBC did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the latest presenting arrangements.
The presenter lineup on flagship morning programmes can shift for a range of reasons, including scheduling, maternity leave and special assignments. The BBC said in recent days that its breakfast programme would continue from 6 a.m. and that Vardy and Boulos would present in the coming weekday slots. The network has previously declined to elaborate publicly on staffing matters while internal reviews are under way.