Naga Munchetty joins BBC Radio 5 Live as new mid-morning show host
Naga Munchetty has been confirmed as the new host of the mid-morning programme on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Munchetty is one of the most high-profile news presenters in the UK and joins 5 Live to front the mid-morning show, 10:00 until 13:00, after guest-presenting on the station over the summer.
Munchetty has been a regular face on BBC Breakfast, the most watched breakfast show on British TV, since 2009 and will continue on the programme alongside her work for 5 Live. She succeeds Emma Barnett, who is the new presenter of Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour.
Munchetty said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the 5 Live team. I have always wanted to work more in radio and after such an enjoyable experience presenting on the station recently, I jumped at this opportunity.”
“5 Live has one of the most passionate, engaged audiences in radio. The prospect of talking to those listeners every week really excites me. I can’t wait to get stuck into the role from January.”
Munchetty began her career at the Evening Standard and has worked for Reuters, CNBC Europe and Channel 4 News. Her first presenting stint was on Sony TV, fronting the channel’s financial programme weeknights. She joined the BBC in 2008 presenting business news programme Working Lunch. She became one of BBC Breakfast’s lead presenters in 2014.
A contestant on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in 2016, away from work she is a keen golfer and won an episode of Celebrity Mastermind in 2013 where her specialist subject was The Ryder Cup.
Heidi Dawson, controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, said, “Naga is a brilliant broadcaster and a fearless journalist, making her the perfect fit for our mid-morning programme.
“She impressed us while working briefly at the station in the summer, when our listeners loved her warmth, wit and straight-talking interview style. I’m sure she will make the mid-morning programme a must listen. I can’t wait to hear her interviewing the biggest names in news and telling stories from around the UK that you won’t hear anywhere else.”
Munchetty will present every Monday to Wednesday. She starts in January 2021.
BBC Radio 5 Live is the voice of the UK, bringing audiences news, sport and topical, entertaining conversation.
