After 17 years on the red sofa, Naga Munchetty has announced she is quitting BBC Breakfast.
For almost two decades, the 51-year-old presenter has helmed the flagship morning show, often seen alongside her co-host Charlie Stayt.
Now she’s heading over to 5 Live, where she’ll be co-hosting the Breakfast show from January onwards as current presenters Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards take a step back.
The drastic career change comes after a formal probe into allegations of bullying was launched against her last year, which centre on her interactions with colleagues and crew.
Still, in her leaving statement she paid homage to this significant era of her career. She said: ‘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.’
But with the new top spot open – who could we expect to take over?
Who could replace Naga Munchetty on BBC Breakfast
Nina Warhurst
Coming in as a frontrunner is Nina Warhurst. The 45-year-old BBC presenter has ample on-air experience. Nowadays she is best known for hosting the News at One.
What makes her even more perfect for the position is her years of experience as the business and consumer presenter on BBC Breakfast, a position she left after seven years, which means she has a lay of the land.
According to Betway, Nina is leading the way with 7/4 odds of taking over, calling her the ‘ideal candidate’.
Tina Daheley
Next up we have Tina, 47, at 4/1 odds. The broadcast legend just last month announced she was stepping away from her BBC Two radio breakfast show after seven years.
Sara Cox will be taking over from Scott Mills as host, but Tina’s replacement as newsreader is yet to be announced.
More widely, she’s spent 18 years helming BBC Breakfast shows including for Chris Moyles, Nick Grimshaw, Trevor Nelson and Zoe Ball.
In her exit speech, she said: ‘After 18 years and six back-to-back breakfast shows (probably a record in there somewhere), I’m looking forward to a lie-in.’
For now she is going to cover Jeremy Vine’s lunchtime show when he is out, but her long-term plan is yet ot be confirmed. With ample experience, it’s not out of the realm of possibility she’ll take over from Naga come January.
Emma Vardy
Emma Vardy, 44, with 7/1 odds, is another possible contender.
She has built a strong reputation for herself as a BBC correspondent and presenter – also with experience working globally in places like Ireland and the US.
Most importantly, Vardy is a regular face on BBC Breakfast as a business presenter and relief host and has accumulated a tidy fanbase during her time on the show, stepping into Nina’s shoes.
She very well could leap to Naga’s position if the stars align.
Jon Kay
Similarly to Emma, Jon, 56, has also built extensive BBC Breakfast experience as a Chief Presenter who co-hosts the show every Monday to Wednesday.
He’s also got the accolades to back him, after co-hosting BBC Breakfast’s special programme on the Post Office scandal, which won the news team a Bafta – the morning show’s first ever win.
His career spans three decades, so he’s put in the legwork to make the final leap to Naga’s position, with the odds of 8/1.
Sally Nugent
Last we have Sally Nugent herself, who is reportedly primed to take over the position imminently.
Sally has been a familiar face on the red sofa (often seen alongside Jon) for over a decade and has delivered some hard-hitting moments during her time on the show.
This includes her recent interview with Nigel Farage where she grilled him about the £5million gift.
According to The Sun, a source said: ”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.’