Sally Nugent couldn’t hide her smile as she left filming for BBC Breakfast on Wednesday, after landing the top job in the place of departing Naga Munchetty.
It was announced on Tuesday that Munchetty would be leaving BBC Breakfast after 17 years to take over 5 Live’s flagship morning show.
Nugent was dressed in a stylish cream trench coat and pink trousers as she headed home after appearing on Breakfast with Jon Kay.
Sources have also said that bosses see Nugent as the future of the BBC Breakfast show, after she impressed them with her work during an interview with Nigel Farage.
Munchetty had also been subject to a probe by BBC Breakfast bosses over accusations of workplace bullying but reports say this has now been ‘quietly dropped’.
The Daily Mail also revealed on Wednesday that Munchetty was ‘made to look like a monster’ on BBC Breakfast, and her departure means a win for its ‘boys club’ culture. You can read Katie Hind’s full story here.
Sally Nugent couldn’t hide her smile as she left filming for BBC Breakfast on Wednesday, after landing the top job in the place of departing Naga Munchetty
It was announced on Tuesday that Munchetty would be leaving BBC Breakfast after 17 years to take over 5 Live’s flagship morning show (pictured with Charlie Stayt)
‘Even away from the probe, she faces endless scrutiny from viewers over every comment or gesture and that made the 5 Live role all the more attractive.
‘Bosses were thrilled with Sally Nugent’s recent interview with Nigel Farage and called down to say they wanted Sally covering more chats of that ilk. That used to be Naga’s domain.’
An insider said Munchetty’s move to 5 Live is no doubt ‘two fingers’ to the TV bosses who had spent more than a year investigating allegations of bullying and misconduct against her.
Munchetty was reportedly placed under review last summer amid complaints about alleged bullying and off-colour jokes over a three-year period – but always remained defiant and on air.
She was alleged to have been unkind when fellow presenter Nugent unveiled a glam new look and was also said to have remarked that weather presenter Carol Kirkwood had ‘aged a bit’.
There was also said to be a frosty relationship with co-host Charlie Stayt, despite them being all smiles on screen.
Nugent was dressed in a stylish cream trench coat and pink trousers as she headed home after appearing on Breakfast with Jon Kay
The claims emerged after BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani took an extended period of leave following separate allegations of bullying and misconduct. At the time, Munchetty was reported to be among those who raised concerns. Frediani has since been cleared of wrongdoing and returned to work.
Some BBC insiders see her appointment to the 5 Live Breakfast role as a sign she retains the corporation’s backing. Just weeks ago it was revealed she had received another pay rise, meaning her annual salary is now between £360,000 and £364,999 per year.
A BBC 5 Live insider told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s brilliant for Naga and she’s giving Frediani two fingers.
‘It’s a big promotion for her and a massive coup for us.’
Munchetty was reportedly questioned by bosses over an alleged sex joke, claims she was unkind to co-presenters and allegations she upset Geri Halliwell-Horner.
There were complaints that she made sexual comments during an ad break and was even alleged to have asked a female colleague whether she had ever carried out a certain sex act.
She was accused of telling off an intern over the quality of her Marmite on toast.
When Nugent unveiled a new look, Munchetty allegedly said: ‘We’re meant to be serious journalists, not trying to look like we’re presenting This Morning.’
There were also allegations that she described Kirkwood as ‘really stern’ and said she had ‘aged a bit’.
Before Kirkwood retired from BBC Breakfast, viewers complained when Munchetty said on air: ‘I’m just waiting for the countdown for you to go.’
Another on-air row came when Halliwell-Horner appeared as a guest and later vowed never to return.
Munchetty asked her: ‘Do you not like being interviewed?’ reportedly prompting an apology from BBC bosses.
Munchetty will front the radio show alongside a co-host, who is yet to be recruited, from Monday to Friday, broadcasting live from Salford for three days a week and London for the remaining two.
On the move to 5 Live, Munchetty 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.
‘It has been 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.
‘Presenting a flagship programme on 5 Live is an opportunity that was simply too good to pass up. It will take a huge amount of work and require 100 per cent of my focus and energy, and I’m really looking forward to throwing myself into the role.
‘Over the last five years, I’ve been privileged to build a relationship with 5 Live listeners on the mid-morning programme and help shine a light on the issues that matter most to them. I’m excited to build on that in the Breakfast slot and to start each day with our listeners every morning.
‘Between now and January, I’ll continue presenting the two programmes I love. I’m sure there will be plenty of news to cover, and it will very much be business as usual.’
Controller Heidi Dawson described Munchetty as ‘one of the UK’s most accomplished broadcasters and a hugely valued member of the 5 Live family’.
