Naga Munchetty smiles as she's seen for the first time since she announced that she was leaving BBC Breakfast and taking Radio 5 Live job after 'bullying probe was quietly dropped'

Naga Munchetty smiled as she was pictured for the first time since she announced she would be leaving her BBC Breakfast hosting job.

The broadcaster, 51, had a 17-year stint on the programme but will begin her new role at Radio 5 Live in the new year, taking over from Rachel Burden. 

Naga was being courted by the radio channel last year while she was the subject of a probe by BBC Breakfast bosses over claims of workplace bullying.

Now it's emerged that the investigation into Naga's behaviour was 'quietly dropped', with the star announcing this week she would be leaving BBC Breakfast after 17 years to host the flagship morning show on BBC Radio 5 Live.

On Thursday, Naga wore a black top with frilled angel sleeves and patterned monochromatic cigarette-style trousers as she was pictured leaving the BBC studios.

The Daily Mail revealed on Wednesday that Naga was 'made to look like a monster' on BBC Breakfast, and her departure means a win for its 'boys club' culture. You can read Katie Hind's full story here.

Her decision to leave was announced on Tuesday and an insider said the move is no doubt 'two fingers' to the TV bosses who had spent more than a year investigating allegations of bullying and misconduct against her.

Naga was reportedly placed under review last summer amid complaints about alleged bullying and off-colour jokes over a three-year period – but always remained defiant and on air.

She was alleged to have been unkind when fellow presenter Sally Nugent unveiled a glam new look and was also said to have remarked that weather presenter Carol Kirkwood had 'aged a bit'.

There was also said to be a frosty relationship with co-host Charlie Stayt, despite them being all smiles on screen. 

The claims emerged after BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani took an extended period of leave following separate allegations of bullying and misconduct. At the time, Munchetty was reported to be among those who raised concerns. Frediani has since been cleared of wrongdoing and returned to work.

Some BBC insiders see her appointment to the 5 Live Breakfast role as a sign she retains the corporation's backing. Just weeks ago it was revealed she had received another pay rise, meaning her annual salary is now between £360,000 and £364,999 per year.

A BBC 5 Live insider told the Daily Mail: 'It's brilliant for Naga and she's giving Frediani two fingers. It's a big promotion for her and a massive coup for us.'

Naga was reportedly questioned by bosses over an alleged sex joke, claims she was unkind to co-presenters and allegations she upset Geri Halliwell-Horner.

There were complaints that she made sexual comments during an ad break and was even alleged to have asked a female colleague whether she had ever carried out a certain sex act.

She was accused of telling off an intern over the quality of her Marmite on toast.

When Sally Nugent unveiled a new look, Munchetty allegedly said: 'We're meant to be serious journalists, not trying to look like we're presenting This Morning.'

There were also allegations that she described Carol Kirkwood as 'really stern' and said she had 'aged a bit'.

Before Kirkwood retired from BBC Breakfast, viewers complained when Munchetty said on air: 'I'm just waiting for the countdown for you to go.'

Another on-air row came when Geri Halliwell-Horner appeared as a guest and later vowed never to return.

Munchetty asked her: 'Do you not like being interviewed?' reportedly prompting an apology from BBC bosses.

Naga will front the show alongside a co-host, who is yet to be recruited, from Monday to Friday, broadcasting live from Salford for three days a week and London for the remaining two.

On the move to 5 Live, Munchetty said: '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.

'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.

'Presenting a flagship programme on 5 Live is an opportunity that was simply too good to pass up. It will take a huge amount of work and require 100% of my focus and energy, and I'm really looking forward to throwing myself into the role.

'Over the last five years, I've been privileged to build a relationship with 5 Live listeners on the mid-morning programme and help shine a light on the issues that matter most to them. I'm excited to build on that in the Breakfast slot and to start each day with our listeners every morning.

'Between now and January, I'll continue presenting the two programmes I love. I'm sure there will be plenty of news to cover, and it will very much be business as usual.'

Controller Heidi Dawson described Munchetty as 'one of the UK's most accomplished broadcasters and a hugely valued member of the 5 Live family.

It's also been reported that Naga has raked in thousands of pounds this year on top of her huge BBC salary.

This includes a 'masterclass' podcast entitled 'The Art of Asking Better Questions with Naga Munchetty'. 

The BBC publishes a quarterly register of its top staff's earnings from external events such as after-dinner speeches, hosting Q&A sessions for firms, and handing out gongs at corporate bashes.

In January, she hosted a panel discussion about 'access to the creative industries' at Soho House in Manchester, which the likes of Noel Gallagher attended for The BRIT Awards after-party in February. 

The star was joined by New Order legend Peter Hook and Soho House CEO Andrew Carnie and was paid up to £5,000 for the event. 

The previous week, she travelled to the Middle East to attend the Emirates Festival of Literature in Dubai.

There, she gave a talk on her book 'It's Probably Nothing', which discusses her own experiences with the country's healthcare and the bias against women in the medical profession.

Punters paid £15-a-ticket for the one-hour show while Naga was handed up to £1,000 -  although it's not known if her travel and accommodation were on top of this. 

The following month, she headed up a debate on The PR Network podcast Just Curious series talking about interviewing techniques. 

According to the podcast description, it says that Naga 'shares how curiosity, analytical rigour and the discipline of asking the right questions have shaped her interviewing style, and why the best journalists know when to stay silent. 

'At the heart of Naga's approach is clarity: say little, facilitate much, and never make the story about yourself.

'This episode is a masterclass in communication and a rallying cry for systemic change - honest, thought-provoking and ultimately empowering.' 

Last year, it was revealed that Naga had raked in up to an extra £56,000 on top of her bumper BBC salary in 2024, which included up to £10,000 for work with a charity. 

According to the BBC website, presenters are allowed to work elsewhere, but they face strict guidelines.

They must seek management approval and strictly abide by the corporation's rules on conflicts of interest, commercial endorsements, and impartiality. 

A BBC spokesperson said: 'We publish the external paid-for work of on-air journalists for transparency, and every event is approved in line with our guidelines.'