BBC Breakfast star Naga Munchetty bags brand new role after show shake-up
NAGA Munchetty has bagged a brand new presenting role as the new host on a popular podcast.
Must Watch is a Radio 5 podcast starring TV critic and broadcaster Scott Bryan, writer Hayley Campbell and presenter Nihal Arthanayake.
Their weekly show takes you through the best (and worst) new TV and streaming shows.
Their recent episode discussed Love is Blind UK, The Body Next Door and Daddy Issues.
Scott took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share the news that Naga will be joining their show as their new co-host, replacing Nihal.
He wrote: “Must Watch is back from next Monday at a new time, with a new host.
“Naga Munchetty (@TVNaga01) will be with Hayley and I every Monday taking us through the best (and worst) on television.
“We’ll also be on at a new time, 1pm on Mondays. The podcast is also out each week.”
Scott added: “Just want to thank Nihal for the past five years.
“We will really miss being with you on the air every week. It has been bloody smashing.”
This comes after Naga was revealed as BBC Breakfast’s biggest earner thanks to a bumper payday.
The journalist is named among the top 10 highest earning BBC stars of the past year after taking home a £345,000 – £349,999 salary.
It marks an impressive £10,000 increase on her earnings from last year but is £20,000 down from what she took home in 2022.
Naga managed to land the huge six-figure sum thanks to her role as a regular Thursday-Saturday host as well as her presenting roles on her self-titled Radio 5 Live programme as well as Panorama.
On top of being the top BBC Breakfast earner, Naga is also the fourth highest-earning woman at the corporation after BBC Radio 2 star Zoe Ball, Question Time‘s Fiona Bruce and radio and The One Show star Lauren Laverne.
Naga’s pay is significantly higher than her BBC Breakfast co-host Charlie Stayt‘s which stood at £190,000 – £194,999.
Who are the current presenters of BBC Breakfast?
The flagship BBC show has had dozens of presenters during its impressive 40 years on air but the current stars are:
Jon Kay – Since 2022
Sally Nugent – Since 2021
Charlie Stayt – Since 2006
Naga Munchetty – Since 2014
Carol Kirkwood – Since 1997
However, he does not have the same amount of projects outside of the show as Naga.
Meanwhile, Jon Kay was revealed as the second highest earner on the team, with £225,000 – £229,999, and Sally Nugent – who co-hosts with Jon every Monday to Wednesday, received £195,000 – £199,999.
The figures were released as part of the BBC’s annual report which reveals the salaries of all the major stars across its various departments and genres.
Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball remained the top earners overall with the Match of the Day host having stayed within the same bracket of £1,350,000 – £1,354,999.
He is followed by Radio 2 host Zoe, although she took a slight cut. Her salary now falls in the bracket £950,000 – £954,999, down from £980,000 – £984,999.
The BBC’s annual salary report covers the period from April 2023 to March 31, 2024.
Radio 1 breakfast host Greg James is the fourth-highest earner with £415,000 – £419,999, up from £395,000 – £399,999.
Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce received a jump in pay to £405,000 – £409,999, up from £395,000 – £399,999.
The report comes as BBC boss Tim Davie apologised and issued a stern warning to Strictly stars amid the ongoing scandal.
Breaking his silence on alleged abusive behaviour on the show, the corporation’s Director-General said: “The line should never be crossed”.
Must Watch is available on BBC Sounds. BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One.