BBC Breakfast star Naga Munchetty absent from show and replaced by co-star

The journalist usually hosts the programme from Thursday to Saturday


Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty on Breakfast
On 20 April 2023

Naga Munchetty was absent from the BBC Breakfast sofa on Thursday morning, with relief presenter Nina Warhurst stepping in. 

Naga usually hosts the programme from Thursday to Saturday each week alongside her co-star Charlie Stayt.

While Nina, who is expecting her third child, is a fan-favourite presenter on the show and is often praised by viewers for her relatable parenting posts, fans are sure to be missing Naga.

© BBC

Nina Warhurst stood in for Naga Munchetty on Thursday's BBC Breakfast

This isn't the first time that Naga has been away from her role on the programme in recent months. The journalist was absent for almost three weeks across February and March, and fans couldn't help but notice, with one person pointing out that the star had been seen on the programme "less and less". 

While Naga – who is married to TV director James Haggar – is perhaps best known for keeping viewers up to date with the latest news headlines on Breakfast, and for her impressive interviewing skills, she also hosts a two-hour radio show on BBC Radio 5 Live. 

WATCH: BBC Breakfast star Naga Munchetty praised by viewers for interviewing skills

The 48-year-old usually fronts the radio programme across three days from Monday but was replaced by fellow host Adrian Chiles for Wednesday's show.

Naga's most recent absence comes just weeks after she defended her co-star Nina after the expectant mum received criticism from a viewer. 

MORE: Naga Munchetty reveals genius hack as workout interrupted

MORE: Inside BBC Breakfast's Nina Warhurst's chic home with husband and kids

Taking to Twitter, Nina hit back at a negative comment about her hair, which read: "Please do something with your hair. You look a mess! We have to look at you while we are eating our breakfasts, for heaven's sake!"

Posting a screenshot of the message, Nina wrote: "Women who do this to women. Too repulsed by my hair to eat her breakfast, but managing to bang out this vitriol. Apart from anything else I can't bear inaccuracies - I think we can all agree my hair looked [heart hands emoji]."

Naga took to the comments section to show her support for Nina, writing: "It looked fab x."

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