BBC Breakfast star taking extended break from show amid presenter shake-up
A BBC Breakfast presenter will be taking an extended break from the show amid a huge shake-up for the popular news programme. The breakfast show runs every morning from Monday through to Saturday.
There is also a separate segment on BBC News on Friday's and also on BBC Breakfast on the Saturday morning called Newswatch, which covers some of the biggest news of the week.
This week, the focus was on the Gregg Wallace and John Torode MasterChef scandal as well as the BBC's Gaza documentary. However, at the end of the segment, the presenter and journalist Samira Ahmed announced the segment would be going on a break.
She told viewers: "We are off the air for a few weeks now, but please do continue to get in touch with us over the summer and we'll be back with more of your thoughts about how the BBC covers news in the first week of September."
Fans were disappointed by the final segment for the summer. One wrote: "Disappointing....and last one too," whilst another shared: "Well, that was a waste of 10 minutes!! #BBCBreakfast." A third penned: "Not this again. #bbcbreakfast."
There have been real fears that Naga Munchetty could be leaving the BBC. Last month, it was revealed show boss Richard Frediani was on extended leave on the flagship show after complaints about his behaviour.
"Her team last week renewed talks with LBC. The Global Radio station would suit her as there's far less of the fluffy nonsense that's involved in working at the BBC," a source had said.
Reports say that Naga's representatives are currently in discussions with rival broadcaster LBC regarding a potential job change. Naga and Charlie Stayt present BBC Breakfast from Thursday to Saturday morning, while Jon Kay and Sally Nugent take the helm from Monday to Wednesday every week, except when they take breaks from the show for holidays.
The BBC recently released their salaries, with Charlie staying with the £190,000 salary band, whereas Naga has had a £10,000 increase to her earnings, moving from £345,000 to £355,000.
It has always been the case that Naga has been paid more than Charlie. Her pay packet accounts for 180 days of presenting on BBC Breakfast, as well as her Radio 5 Live programme and election coverage.
BBC Breakfast insiders have defended the under-fire boss at the centre of a bullying probe, with one claiming: "The truth will come out." Show boss Richard Frediani is on extended leave on the flagship show after complaints about his behaviour.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
John Torode given boost by the BBC on his birthday after shock MasterChef axe
Former MasterChef judge, John Torode, was sacked from the BBC show last week after a claim of using racist language, which he denies, was upheld after an independent investigation Former MasterChef judge, John Torode, hasn't had much to celebrate recently after getting sacked from the BBC show last week over an upheld claim of using racist language, which he denies. The Aussie chef, who turns 60, today, was axed from the programme after 20 years at the helm after "an accusation of highly offensive racist language" was upheld following a report into John's co-host, Gregg Wallace's behaviour on the show. Following the report's release in which 45 out of 83 allegations made against him Gregg were upheld and John was the subject of nine complaints, eight of which were rejected - both he and the former greengrocer got the boot from MasterChef. However, today, on John's milestone birthday, the BBC has announced it will broadcast the amateur series of the primetime show filmed before allegations against the dad-of-four and Gregg were upheld by an independent investigation. Both presenters will still feature in the upcoming series, but the edit will be looked at in light of the findings of an investigation, with focus being given to the contestants, the PA news agency understands. A BBC spokesperson said: 'After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August. MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey. 'This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. "We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. 'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process." John was sacked last week after he came forward as the unnamed person in the firm Lewis Silkin's report, commissioned by Banjiay, into the conduct of Gregg, following allegations of misconduct. The upheld complaint about John was "an accusation of highly offensive racist language against", which the presenter has vehemently denied, saying he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation. It was later reported that John repeated lyrics of Kanye West's song Gold Digger, in which the N-word is featured. The alleged incident is said to have taken place at an after-work gathering in 2019. John is then alleged to have used the word again whilst speaking to a member of the MasterChef production team. However, BBC News has since reported that the upheld allegation relating to John using the racist slur was not in relation to the above incident. The publication reports the upheld allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place the year before in 2018, in which it is claimed he used the same word on set after filming ended – and the slur was directed at a member of staff. Meanwhile, it was also reported that John was the subject of a total of nine complaints. There was a single upheld allegation of racist language and eight other allegations relating to different matters were rejected, the Mirror understands.
South Wales Guardian
8 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
New MasterChef series with Gregg Wallace and John Torode to air
This new series was filmed before allegations against Wallace and Torode were upheld by an independent investigation. The BBC released a statement, saying it had made the decision 'after careful consideration and consultation with the contestants'. A BBC spokesperson said: 'After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August. 'MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey. 'This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. 'We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. 'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series. 'At this stage, we have not taken a decision on the celebrity series and Christmas special, which was filmed earlier this year, and we will confirm our plans later in the year. 'Most importantly, MasterChef is a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual. There are many talented, dedicated and hard-working people who make the show what it is. 'It will continue to flourish on the BBC and we look forward to it returning stronger than ever in the future.' The statement followed news last week that John Torode's contract on MasterChef would not be renewed, as confirmed by the BBC and production company Banijay UK. Torode confirmed he was the subject of an allegation of using racist language that was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin into the alleged behaviour of his co-presenter Gregg Wallace. Torode said he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation. Recommended reading: New MasterChef presenters 'confirmed' after Gregg Wallace and John Torode axing John Torode axed from MasterChef after allegations of racist language upheld John Torode and Gregg Wallace 'off with each other' and 'were never friends' Torode began presenting the BBC cooking contest alongside Gregg Wallace in 2005. In November 2024, the show's production company, Banijay UK, announced Wallace would step down from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. Wallace issued an apology saying he is 'deeply sorry for any distress caused' and that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate' in the wake of a report that saw 45 out of 83 allegations made against him upheld. Both MasterChef presenters will feature in the upcoming series but the edit will be looked at in light of the findings, with focus being given to the contestants, the PA news agency understands.
The Independent
8 minutes ago
- The Independent
BBC makes decision on unaired MasterChef series
The BBC has confirmed it will air the unaired MasterChef series, despite the recent dismissal of hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode. The pre-recorded series, f ilmed in late 2024, is scheduled to begin broadcasting on BBC One and iPlayer from 6 August. Gregg Wallace was sacked after 45 allegations of misconduct were upheld against him, including unwelcome physical contact and inappropriate sexual language. John Torode, his co-host, was also dismissed after an allegation of racist language was substantiated during the investigation into Wallace's behaviour. The BBC stated the decision was made to recognise the efforts of the contestants, acknowledging it was a difficult choice and that opportunities were missed to address Wallace's conduct sooner.
