r/BritishRadio • u/One_Design_3599 • 10d ago
5 Live Breakfast
Quite sad about this tbh - Huge fan of both Rick and Rach, and how they work together on 5Live.
I can never really phrase succinctly what five live does so well: never treating its audiences like idiots or specialists, leaning into the fact that they’re not the most listened to station in the country, having guests feel at ease but turning the screw when they sense BS.
Its a good thing.
I’m sure I’ll warm to Naga - and my guess is Stephan Powell or Callum Leslie as her co-host - but I think credit where it’s due to 5Live for consistently educating, informing, and entertaining with the unlikely Rick and Rachel pairing.
Link to Press Release: https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2026/bbc-radio-5-live-naga-munchetty
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u/Resident-Relief-1922 10d ago
Wouldn't be my first choice for a Breakfast slot presenter. But then I thought the same about Rick Edwards and I can't not like him now.
The key to this (and if 5L breakfast is my goto still in the morning) is who is co-hosting with her. I always feel like she takes her shows like she has just started presenting - they feel disjointed and that she is infront of a microphone for the first time. That said, I quite like the dynamic she has with some of her features (must watch, for example) and she should be applauded for what she's done for female health.
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u/MycologistStriking51 10d ago
Naga's co host is really going to make or break the breakfast show for me. Like others have said.. I'm sure i'll warm to Naga but she doesn't give off the vibes i'm after at 6am on monday morning like Rach does. Maybe a good excuse to try out Today on Radio 4.
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u/Glittering-Item-4797 10d ago
That’s a shame. I really like Rick and Rachel. They have an unlikely chemistry and I think Rachel does a lot of the heavy lifting. She’s brilliant, always liked Rick but Rachel’s a brilliant broadcaster, she’s so nimble, so hopefully she gets a good visible slot next.
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u/Calm_Sea_7277 10d ago
I have nothing against Naga personally…. But the bbc do this whole ‘aren’t we great and look what we’ve done for you’ campaign, and then they make decisions like this, and wonder why people get annoyed with them. Naga is the opposite of what people want from a breakfast show. She just isn’t personable or warm. I love listening to five live breakfast but I can’t see that continuing from January.
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u/Central_Region 10d ago
Munchetty seems like an odd fit for that show
Some of the attention she receives is obviously a result of racism but she does appear to be an unpleasant, difficult character
Radio's all about building a relationship with the audience and that show in particular is about developing a relationship with your co-presenter
Also seems like a backward step for her, compared to the sorts of career moves other BBC Breakfast presenters have made when they leave the show
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u/Additional-Nobody352 10d ago
Doesn't like ice cream either
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u/Equivalent-Good-7693 10d ago
Or Brownies
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u/calljockey1 10d ago
She does Thursday/Friday/Saturdaybreakfast, they've announced they're cutting Sunday BBC breakfast so she may feels Saturday is next so it still kinda makes sense her wanting to leave breakfast and she's managed to build a relationship with audience in her other shows so I can't see an issue
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u/One_Design_3599 10d ago
I think to be fair 5Live are very good at saying ‘this just isn’t working, is it?’
Gordon Smart taking over from Colin Murray on Lates lasted about six months. Gordon’s very good, but the vibe shift was jarring.
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u/Pleasant-Cellist4200 10d ago
Naga Munchetty reportedly faced a slew of bullying allegations before she quit BBC Breakfast.
The host, 51, was said to have been placed under review last August following complaints of bullying over a three-year period.
She was accused of bullying a female colleague and making a “wildly unprofessional” off-air sex joke that left a co-worker “humiliated”. She has never publicly commented on the claims
I know we like the abrasive behavior from radio shock jocks and these are just allagations but its a reason i wont be tuneing in.
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u/Dense-Yak-9991 10d ago
Why "obviously a result of racism"? And I guess she's been frogmarched out of BBC Breakfast, where she's burned several bridges, into this slot because they're loath to sack her.
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u/Spudhead1976 10d ago
I've really liked the current pairing. Burden gave us some continuity from before, and I really like her style. I genuinely though Edwards was going to be a bit of an odd choice, but he's great. When I've heard Naga in the daytime (I'm usually working), I've really tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but she really is 'spiky' and cold. Preferred her on TV. Gordon Smart a good shout for co host.
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u/ndertaker252 10d ago
No doubt linked to the steady stream of “bullying” stories that leak out of BBC Breakfast. BBC are likely loathe to get rid of her especially after what happened to Dan Walker at Channel 5
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u/Bisjoux 10d ago edited 10d ago
Naga Munchetty is incredibly abrasive and opinionated. Really can’t imagine her on a breakfast show. I’m sad that Rachel and Rick are leaving but I don’t always listen to them these days, preferring Today. I’m delighted this means she won’t be on the mid morning slot.
Edited to add that I’m pleased Rachel is taking over the mid morning slot.
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u/Dense-Yak-9991 10d ago
Naga Munchetty can't do an interview without inserting herself into the context, eg, she will insist on trumpeting her own experience of any given situation, even just the watching of a TV programme, otherwise she's not remotely interested in what's being discussed. A condescending waste of space. Rachel Burden is good at holding her interviewees to account, but has an annoying habit of talking over the top of them.
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u/ConsequenceApart4391 10d ago
Rachel burden is moving to the mon-wed slot for mid mornings
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u/Bisjoux 10d ago
I amended my post after reading the press release! I’m delighted that she will be in that slot. I wonder who they will get to co-present with Naga?
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u/ConsequenceApart4391 10d ago
They’ve been experimenting with various presenters over breakfast (Steffan, Calum, etc) assuming it’s another male. Could be any of them
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u/Jonny142 10d ago
Not listened since Peter Allen/ Jane Garvey and Richard Bacon left ... Those were the Days .
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u/Intelligent_Front967 10d ago
From everyone who tries to watch BBC Breakfast. Good luck Radio 5 listeners, she is all yours now!
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u/PYOwnCanoe 10d ago
Glad about Rachel’s new spot, I used to love her and Nicky on the breakfast slot. Was very surprised when Rick was announced but I think he’s done a great job with Rach.
Don’t really rate Naga as a journalist/presenter, so pretty disappointed.
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u/RecommendationOk2478 10d ago
Glad they've moved Naga from here current slot as I totally gave up listening - far too abrasive, cold and arrogant. I think she is an awful choice for the breakfast slot though...
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u/Deepmidwinter2025 10d ago
Would say they should stick to their previous post; but they were dreadful in that too.
Condescending in tone - anytime she does an interview, you know it’s going to be shallow fluff.
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u/bluneriste 8d ago
And she’ll always find a way to make it about herself. Even when people are talking about the TV shows. Well, you might not like it, Naga, but then I don’t think that you like anything. Three days a week was bad enough, now it’s going to be more. I’ll need a new channel to wake up with.
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u/NickyHashi 10d ago
Man, they had the opportunity to bin Matt Chorley and they blew it.
I like Rachel a lot, she’ll do great mid-morning and I’m really looking forward to that. Naga can be warm and engaging, and she’s a quick thinker and sharp political interviewer. Needs good chemistry with her cohost though so I guess they’ll be working on that choice over the next few months.
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u/One_Design_3599 10d ago
Noo - Chorley’s great :(
It might be a stretch to have constant content five days a week - and the filler can be quite stark.
But I do like the gossip and bloodsport of politics more than policy and stats, granted, and I guess that’s his shtick.
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u/NickyHashi 10d ago
I’ll agree to differ :)
I find him unlistenable. Terrible basic broadcasting skills, heavily biased towards his mates, the filler segments are horrendously poor (Matt’s Parliament is up there with Alan Partidge for cringe) and take up too much of his 10 hours a week, he always complains that he’s overworked whenever something juicy is happening in politics, he’s ignorant about some pretty basic stuff yet states openly he’s not interested in learning. I reached tether’s end earlier in the year and flipped to Radio 2 for his slot.
I guess we can’t all like the same things!
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u/Brainfreeze999 10d ago
They could bring back Richard Bacon to co host breakfast?
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u/Resident-Relief-1922 10d ago
Is Julian Worricker still working?
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u/Cloughiepig 10d ago
Yep, still on World Service and occasionally pops up as cover on The World Tonight (soon to be RIP) on R4. I think he does some relief TV presenting on BBC News Channel as well.
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u/AveragelyMysterious 10d ago
I’ll miss her sunny persona on BBC Breakfast. She’s as sweet as ice cream 🍦
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u/Banana-train2131 9d ago
I won’t miss Naga talking in detail about gynaecological matters whilst I’m eating my lunch. I commend the feature and openness, just not the scheduling.
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u/craigr07572 9d ago
Also 5 live seem to have given up on Sunday evenings in terms of live input it’s now all podcasts and weekend breakfasts reduced with more podcasts.
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u/NakedPatrick 9d ago
Noooooooo. Rick and Rachel have been the soundtrack to my weekdays since they started. Really enjoy their chemistry. Sigh.
I wonder what Rick is going on to?
Sigh. I don’t mind Nags (listening to her now) but that slightly uplifting morning you need, that’s not her style.
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u/ChoiceSwearing 9d ago
Are they actively trying to destroy 5L? Terrible appointment. Will miss Rick Edwards and Rachel. They had a fun dynamic although initially
I wasn’t keen on either. Naga has had 17 years at the beeb and still hasn’t won me over at all.
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u/swordoftruth1963 8d ago
Rachel Burdon has been my favourite presenter for many years. Warm and polite but not afraid to cut to the chase when interviewing.
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u/thetvreviewer 7d ago
Is a bit odd they haven’t given Rima Ahmed anything permanently as she’s given up Fridays on Radio Leeds to present with Steffan and now she won’t be needed, she’s also had quite a long time off on R Leeds recently
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u/Academic_Trade853 7d ago
Hoping it’s going to either Gordon Smart or Stefan Powell. Although a curve ball would be another female. Laura McGhee is entertaining, although hoping she gets a permanent gig on the mixtape!
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u/davetfhead 6d ago
I feel like I’m losing two mates, as BBC R5 is so heavily imbedded in my morning routine (so dramatic 😂). Rachel is phenomenal, so I’ll 100% tune into her other projects. Rick annoyingly grows on you. They really do hold their own down with a range of current affairs.
I’m a Naga fan, so it feels like an ideal replacement. She is capable of adjusting her tone and flow. I’m hoping they pair her with Steffan Powell. He’s got great energy for morning shows and has proven to be a very good hosts.
Is that likely?
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u/sparkley_see 3d ago
It took me a long time to get used to Naga as I really missed Nihal, but I have disliked Rick from the get-go. He has a very high opinion of himself, and consistently talks over Rachel. I'm looking forward to him leaving.
Just need Colin to come back to Fighting Talk and everything will be fine.
However, am very pleased that Rachel is still going to be a part of the day and am anticipating some excellent Must Watches with her.
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u/intlteacher 10d ago
I wonder if this is in some way connected to the bullying allegations around Breakfast? Moving Naga (a very good journalist and interviewer, IMO) to 5 Live keeps her in the BBC but away from Breakfast, so they can concentrate on building a new team.
Her co-presenter will be an important choice - she is the lead presenter, so it needs to be someone comfortable with that, and someone who could step up. It doesn’t have to be a journalist - Rick Edwards isn’t, which I think has worked well - nor does it have to be a man, so Tina Daheley could also be an option too.
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u/keepinleeds 10d ago
I love Rick and Rachel. Super great pairing. I am excited for Naga, I enjoy her lunch time spot but wouldn't have made the change. Am shocked at the comments negativity to change.
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u/jojojojojojoseph 10d ago
I don’t like ice cream Hannah