Naga Munchetty is a familiar face to morning TV viewers thanks to her long-running stint on BBC Breakfast. The presenter is back in the news following the announcement that she'll be stepping down from the role after 17 years and moving to a new position on BBC Radio 5 Live next year.
Naga, 51, said in a statement: "I'm thrilled to be joining 5 Live Breakfast in January. Live news, great conversations and connecting with audiences are what I love most about broadcasting, and 5 Live does all of that brilliantly.
© BBC"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."
As she prepares for a major career change, how much do you know about Naga's life off-screen? The broadcaster, who prefers to keep her personal life out of the spotlight, is married to TV director James Haggar.
While the couple tied the knot in 2007, the big day wasn't entirely plain sailing. Naga previously revealed on her BBC Radio 5 Live show: "I don't know if I styled it out, but I did fall over in a big, puffy wedding dress during my first dance to You're Just Too Good To Be True."
She added: "We even figured out a dance routine and everything. It didn't go to plan, but the wedding day was a success apart from that."
Find out everything you need to know about Naga's husband, James, here, including what she has publicly said about their relationship.
Who is James Haggar?
James Haggar is a television director and broadcast consultant. He has previously worked as a senior director for companies such as CNBC, Sky and ITV. From 2015 to 2021, he worked as a senior director on Sky News' panel show, The Pledge, before moving to GB News as a creative director.
While Naga has remained tight-lipped about her relationship with James, she has occasionally shared some insights into their romance. Read on to see what she has said…
Naga and James' first date was at a pool hall
In an interview from 2016, the presenter revealed that she and James' first date took place at a pool hall - the perfect location for the snooker-loving couple. Speaking from their Hertfordshire home, she told the Daily Mail: "My first date with James was at a pool hall
". We love snooker and pool and this is one of the cues for our snooker table – it's three-quarter-sized with grey baize, which is a bit more stylish than green."
© Photo: InstagramNaga says 'being kind' is the secret to a happy marriage
On the secret to their long-lasting marriage, Naga opened up about the advice the pair received on their wedding day. "When James and I got married almost 12 years ago, one of his aunts said to us: the best bit of advice I can give you is to simply be kind to one another. She was right," she told The Guardian in 2016.
She went on to share that the couple enjoy spending quality time together on the golf course. "James and I are both golfers, and I think it’s great for our relationship," she explained.
"It gives us a few hours together when we’re walking and talking and catching up; it really makes a difference. Golf takes you on a journey together, and it means you stay in touch with one another."
The journalist also revealed that she and James "don't row" while chatting with Louise Minchin on the Her Spirit Podcast. "James and I don't row, and he's a lovely, lovely man, he's definitely the better half," she said.
© @tvnagaNaga and James don't celebrate Valentine's Day
One surprising confession Naga has made about her relationship is that she doesn't celebrate Valentine's Day. Back in February 2021, while addressing her BBC Radio 5 Live listeners, Naga said that she had "quite strong opinions" on the annual holiday, without going into too much detail.
When asked by co-host Nihal Arthanayake what the last romantic gesture she made was, she revealed: "It would be an act of kindness, that's the most romantic thing I could think of, being kind to someone."
"Being kind to someone is romantic because all romance is, is showing that you've thought about someone else, and being thought about is a wonderful thing, and being cared for is a wonderful thing."
Sharing some examples of her kind gestures for husband James, she divulged: "Head rub! I gave a head rub yesterday and it was received with such gratitude!"
© David M. BenettNaga says James is a feminist
Naga opened up about her husband's social views in a previous interview from 2019. "My husband proudly declares himself a feminist, as do many of our friends, male and female – I think it's very hard not to," she told Glamour.
Naga and James don't want children
Naga has been fairly open about her and James' decision not to have children. Speaking to her Radio 5 Live listeners back in 2020, the broadcaster spoke about the criticism she has received for her life choice.
"I remember when I told someone that I had decided I didn't want children, someone told me I was wicked," she divulged. "Wicked against my mother for denying her grandchildren. It's quite interesting, isn't it, how people react?"
© InstagramShe continued: "I'm past the age now where people expect me to have children. But people can be quite forthright: 'Oh, you can't have them?' I think people find it unusual that both in the relationship have agreed or decided or come to the conclusion that they don't want children."
Naga also touched upon the subject during her appearance in HELLO!'s Second Act podcast, during which she told presenter Ateh Jewel that her mother was initially "devastated" about their decision not to have children.
"My mum was devastated, she is from a different generation," Naga shared. "On why she opted not to have kids, Naga continued: "It was a conscious (decision) and I am doing lots of other things and living a very fulfilling life. She doesn't think I've wasted an opportunity."
The presenter also reflected on how hard the juggle to balance a successful career with having children can be in this modern age. On her decision, Naga shared: "Once upon a time it used to be thought that if you had a career you were being selfish because you were and just focusing on the career. I don’t think that is the attitude now.
"Now it is just too hard, it's too expensive with childcare, and (lack of) flexibility in workplace. It is hard. I am not saying you shouldn't have children, but there are more barriers to having children enjoyably."
Naga and James enjoy relaxing together in the evening
In a column for The Times, Naga revealed that she and James like to relax in front of the TV after a long day of work. "I never eat after 6 at night," Naga began. "I'm disciplined about snacking but I’ll have one or two squares of dark chocolate and a glass of wine in front of the television with my husband. I go to bed about 10.30 and listen to Today in Parliament, a rugby podcast or dig into a Times long read. I drift off at midnight and sleep like the dead."
