Naga Munchetty is to take over from Emma Barnett as the new presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live’s mid-morning programme.
As Prolific North reported last month, Barnett is leaving the show after three years to become the new presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour.
Munchetty, who will continue as one of the lead presenters on BBC Breakfast TV, guest-presented on 5 Live over the summer. She will present the mid-morning show from Monday to Wednesday on 5 Live, starting in January.
She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the 5 Live team. I have always wanted to work more in radio and after such an enjoyable experience presenting on the station recently, I jumped at this opportunity.
“5 Live has one of the most passionate, engaged audiences in radio. The prospect of talking to those listeners every week really excites me. I can’t wait to get stuck into the role from January.”
Heidi Dawson, Controller of 5 Live, added: “Naga is a brilliant broadcaster and a fearless journalist, making her the perfect fit for our mid-morning programme.
“She impressed us while working briefly at the station in the summer, when our listeners loved her warmth, wit and straight-talking interview style. I’m sure she will make the mid-morning programme a must listen.
“I can’t wait to hear her interviewing the biggest names in news and telling stories from around the UK that you won’t hear anywhere else.”
Munchetty began her career at the London Evening Standard and has worked for Reuters, CNBC Europe and Channel 4 News before joining the BBC in 2008, presenting business news programme Working Lunch.
She became one of BBC Breakfast’s lead presenters in 2014 and was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.
