Naga Munchetty will leave BBC Breakfast after 17 years to become the new co-presenter of the BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast show, taking over from Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards. Burden, who has hosted the weekday breakfast show since 2011, announced her departure on Tuesday, expressing difficulty in holding back tears as she reflected on her 15 years with the program. She will move to host the weekday mid-morning program.
Munchetty is set to begin her new role in January 2027, presenting the flagship morning program five days a week. She has already been hosting the weekday mid-morning program on BBC Radio 5 Live since January 2021. This move marks a significant shift for Munchetty, who has been a prominent figure on BBC Breakfast for nearly two decades.
Burden, 51, will front the mid-morning programme from Monday to Wednesday. She stated that she and co-host Rick Edwards had been considering their next steps and life priorities. Edwards will continue with BBC Radio 5 Live, fronting Fighting Talk on Saturday mornings and contributing to other programs.
Controller Heidi Dawson described Munchetty as "one of the UK's most accomplished broadcasters and a hugely valued member of the 5 Live family." Munchetty herself expressed excitement about joining 5 Live Breakfast, citing her love for live news, conversations, and connecting with audiences. She reflected on her time with BBC Breakfast as a privilege and called the opportunity at 5 Live "too good to pass up."
Burden, reflecting on her 15-year tenure on the breakfast show, called it an "absolute joy and privilege" to be part of listeners' mornings. She noted that the show had navigated significant events together, including the pandemic and major political moments. Rick Edwards humorously remarked on Burden's 15-year stint compared to his five years, and expressed gratitude for the opportunities at 5 Live.
The transition comes as Munchetty's tenure at BBC Breakfast was previously impacted by a formal probe into allegations of bullying a junior staffer, and a reported meeting over a sex jibe made during a radio ad break. Despite these controversies, a BBC 5 Live insider called the move a "big promotion" and a "massive coup" for the station. Munchetty's annual salary is reported to be between £360,000 and £364,999, placing her among the BBC's highest-paid employees. She has also been involved in external events, including panel discussions and talks, for which she has received payment, adhering to BBC guidelines on presenters working elsewhere.