NAGA Munchetty has “had talks with Sky News” but her “difficult reputation” ruined her chances of leaving the BBC, insiders claimed.
It comes amid the Sun’s exposé on toxicity at the morning show, with editor Richard Frediani on leave amid bullying claims.
Naga, 50, has also come under fire and was rapped for allegedly bullying a junior staffer on BBC Breakfast last year.
She is also said to have made a crude quip about a sex act in an off-air break on Radio 5 Live in 2022.
Now industry insiders have claimed Naga had been in talks with Sky News and radio station LBC in an attempt to ditch the Beeb.
Sources alleged discussions were quickly scrapped because network bosses were weary of the presenter’s “tough” persona.
“There were quite a few discussions with both Sky and LBC but then it was decided by both that they wouldn’t go any further,” an insider told the Mail.
“She is quite sharp and it is perhaps not what they were looking for, so it all kind of fell apart.
“Rightly or wrongly, Naga has a reputation for being quite tough and difficult at times – they didn’t like that.”
This comes as Naga – now at the centre of a BBC Breakfast toxicity row – has been rapped for two incidents in three years.
Yesterday the presenter opened up and said she hates bullies in a new interview.
She said: “I was no angel but I hated seeing people bullied.
“I remember there were a couple of kids in school who were bullied and I just hated it.
“So I’d always kind of be that person who would speak to everyone.”
Earlier this week, The Sun exclusively reported how things were not all rosy on the show’s iconic red sofa.
We told how anchor Naga had been hauled in by show bosses amid allegations she bullied a junior staffer.
Naga was also hauled in over a sex jibe made at Radio 5 Live where she is said to have used a crude slang term for a sex act during an off-air break — before asking a colleague if they had done it.
The alleged remark stunned the Radio 5 Live studio and led to Naga being hauled before bosses.
She was reprimanded by a senior producer but no formal action was taken.
The comment became widely known at 5 Live, with one source describing the 2022 incident as: “Crass, inappropriate and wildly unprofessional. The person felt embarrassed.”
We can also reveal that on BBC Breakfast last year, she was rapped for the alleged bullying of a woman, who was the most junior staffer.
As part of the bullying behaviour, the star is said to have falsely accused her of stealing, which led to a closed-door showdown.
The source said: “It was humiliating. There was no evidence, no apology. The woman left not long after, completely demoralised.”
Another insider added: “That wasn’t an isolated incident. It really is the tip of the iceberg.”
Naga is the first female presenter to be caught up in the series of scandals which have gripped the BBC.
Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima had to leave over bullying claims, and Wynne Evans quit the live tour over the word “spitroast”, which can be a sexual reference.
But the broadcaster is now facing questions of double standards.
A Breakfast insider said: “If a male presenter made a sexual comment like that or falsely accused someone of theft, he’d be out the door. But with Naga, it gets brushed off.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously.”
Breakfast is already in turmoil amid claims of a “deeply divided workplace” and off-air tensions between Naga and co-host Charlie Stayt.
The flagship show’s editor Richard Frediani is also at the centre of a formal bullying investigation.
It was confirmed the BBC was conducting an internal review into his behaviour and general allegations of toxicity on the show.
An internal email was sent to the BBC Breakfast team thanking them for their “professionalism” as they continue their work amid the row.
The flagship BBC show has had dozens of presenters during its impressive 40 years on air but the current stars are:
Jon Kay – Since 2022
Sally Nugent – Since 2021
Charlie Stayt – Since 2006
Naga Munchetty – Since 2014
Carol Kirkwood – Since 1997
A WOMAN has revealed how she lost 10 stone in two years without Ozempic thanks to one simple daily exercise.
Hannah Mai, 37, was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease – a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol – in October 2020, after gaining 10 stone in two and a half years.
Five months after her diagnosis, in February 2021, Hannah underwent brain surgery to remove the pituitary tumour that causes the condition, and was placed on steroids to control her condition.
In April, 2023, Hannah was taken off her steroid medication and was determined to shed the 10 stone she gained due to the disease as she now weighed 20st 5lbs and was a size 26.
In two years, Hannah slimmed down to 10 stone 4lbs and a size 10 by eating high-protein meals and doing pilates every day.
Hannah, who is currently unemployed, from Coventry, Warwickshire, says: “I think Ozempic is great for people who need it, and for medical reasons.
“It is really helping some people, but I feel if you give yourself a chance, you can really push yourself.
“Once I started losing the weight, I just kept going.
“It isn’t easy, you really have to push yourself, and focus on who you want to be and think about who you want to be.”
When she turned 30, Hannah noticed she started gaining weight and went from nine stone to 16 stone in a few months.
She said she kept going to the doctor, but would always be asked if she was pregnant, or the weight gain was blamed on hormones.
Hannah says: “I was always around nine stone, but I noticed how I started to gain a bit of weight.
“I knew there was something wrong with me, but people around me thought I had changed my diet and asked if I was eating more.
“I was asked if I was pregnant six times, and told that my weight gain could be caused by hormones.
“I went up to 20 stone at my heaviest.”
In October 2020, more than two years after she started gaining weight, Hannah woke up one morning with a hunched back.
Hannah googled the cause, and it mentioned Cushing’s disease, and after seeing the other symptoms – including weight gain – she went straight to the doctor.
The doctor transferred her to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, where an MRI scan and blood test confirmed she had Cushing’s disease.
Hannah says: “I printed off the list of symptoms and took them to my doctor, who then referred me to the hospital.
“There, I had an MRI scan and blood tests, which confirmed that I had Cushing’s disease.
“I was relieved but scared when I got the diagnosis. I had been saying for years that there was something wrong with me.”
Five months after her diagnosis, in February 2021, Hannah underwent brain surgery to remove the pituitary tumour that causes the condition, and was placed on steroids to control her condition.
Then, after two years on steroid medication -to control her condition – Hannah was taken off her meds because she started to get better.
After she came off her medication, Hannah says she knew she was better and became determined to lose weight.
By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist
EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you?
As a PT and fitness journalist, I’ve tried everything.
I’ve taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates.
Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas!
The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit.
My top five forms of exercise, especially if you’re trying to lose weight, are:
She adds: “It wasn’t easy to lose weight whilst I was still on steroids, as soon as I came off them, I knew this was my body and I was a lot better.
“I really pushed myself, I worked super hard, cut out all sugar, cut out dairy, and gluten after I was diagnosed with celiac disease “I have a low-carb, high-protein diet with lots of vegetables, and I do pilates every day.”
In two years, Hannah was able to shift the pounds going down to 10 stone from 20 stone.
She went from wearing a size 26 clothes to wearing a size 10 – back to where she was before Cushing’s disease.
Hannah says: “I am super proud of myself, I am always worried that the weight will come back.
“I feel so much happier. When I look back at myself, I just can’t believe I was that size.
“When I look back at old photos, I feel very sad about what happened to me, but it makes me think that I need to be proud about how far I have come.”
Hannah is currently raising money for The Pituitary Foundation, to donate click here
A WOMAN has died and a young male was injured in a house fire in Newry, Armagh yesterday.
Emergency services and police rushed to the scene in the Bearna Park area of Killeavy around 8.40am.
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service tackled the blaze.
The woman, aged in her 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
And the young male was hospitalised for his injuries.
Cops are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire.
They are appealing to anyone with information to make contact with them.
Anyone with video footage that could assist with the investigation should contact the PSNI and refrain from sharing it online.
Sinn Fein MP for Newry and Armagh, Daire Hughes, said the community is in shock following the fatal fire.
He said: “Our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and neighbours of the individual who tragically lost their life in a house fire this morning in Meigh.
“There is a palpable sense of shock in the community at this horrific incident.”
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police can confirm that a woman aged in her 50s has died following a fire at a house in the Bearna Park area of Killeavy in Newry this morning, Saturday 21st June.
“Police received a report of the fire at approximately 8.40am, and attended alongside colleagues from other emergency services.
“Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service extinguished the fire but, sadly the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
“A young male was taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries.
“Officers are continuing to conduct enquiries into the cause of the fire and are appealing to anyone who may have footage that could assist with the investigation, to contact detectives and refrain from sharing online.”
Separately, tributes were paid to a devoted partner who died in a horror house fire in Roscommon on Wednesday evening.
Tragic Des Deegan, 72, who died in a blaze at a home in The Oaks, Frenchpark, Co Roscommon, was planning to adapt his home for his partner, who has been in rehabilitation for the past two years.
Emergency services attended the scene after receiving the report shortly before 7pm on Wednesday evening.
It is understood that the fire completely destroyed the house in The Oaks estate.
And it is still unclear what caused the fire.
Mr Deegan, who is originally from Dublin died at the scene.
His body was removed and taken to Galway University Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Roscommon and Galway TD Claire Kerrane took to social media to pay tribute to the devoted partner.
She said: “Terrible news confirmed this morning that a gentleman has died in the house fire. A horrendous tragedy.
“May his gentle soul rest in peace. As a community, I know we will rally around to support in any way we can.”
A BRIDE has been shot dead at her wedding by a gang of hooded gunmen with one other killed and three injured.
Cops were called to the Vaucluse venue, in Goult, France, after the shooting broke out at around 4.30am on Sunday.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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DAMIEN DUFF admitted he would have been EMBARRASSED if his Shelbourne side had stolen a point against Derry City on Friday night.
Despite him bellowing touchline instructions, his players just never woke up.
Michael Duffy’s 54th-minute wonderstrike gave Derry a fully deserved 1-0 win.
The Candystripes subsequently leapfrogged Shels into fourth place as the champions slipped 15 points off runaway leaders Shamrock Rovers.
Boss Duff said: “A bad night, a sobering night.
“We didn’t deserve anything from it. Huffed, puffed . . .
“Yes, we had some moments in the first half, the second half, but I’d be embarrassed walking home with a point.
“Not that they created a lot. They definitely play with a bit of quality. We certainly didn’t.
“The biggest thing to take away was (a lack of) quality, quality, quality, absolutely zero energy, flatness.
“I don’t accept that that’s our third game in a week. Never have, never will until the day I die. If you are an amazing pro you bounce into the night.
“Even if you are a bit tired, a bit flat, drag yourself along, give yourself a talking-to.
“Here, I don’t like being the one shouting and screaming on the sideline . . . ‘Duffer’s at it again!’ That’s the energy that I have.
“I prepared for Friday’s game like I was a professional footballer. My wife probably cursed me at times. Three-hour siesta, ate really well, focused my mind.
“There was a severe lack of energy, real flatness, severe lack of quality and you are going to get nowhere.”
The Ireland hero sensed his side were off in last Thursday’s training session and claimed he and assistant Joey O’Brien ‘smelt’ a performance like that coming.
Duff said: “Training was awful. I’ve been around football a long, long time and you can have training amazing on a Thursday and be really poor on a Friday. You can have a poor training session on a Thursday and be brilliant on a Friday.
“So it was off the back of two days of not being on the pitch. Played Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday back in Thursday.
“But that’s where you have to be an amazing pro, an elite pro, a pro that belongs in the Champions League which are strange words for me to say at the minute.
“Just really having a sharp mind and paying real respect to your training and the detail you were going to be getting.
“Did I smell it? Of course! It was awful. It all comes from within, your energy, motivation, how good a professional you are.
“I guess I’m the front of shop then, I’m the manager and it’s my energy and that’s why some days this year I crawl in.
“It’s my energy that has driven the players for four years. I’ve offered them the dressing room for them to lead this show, this steam train. They’ve never really done it.
“Again, it’s me shouting and screaming. Joe shouting and screaming. We had a real energy because we were highly motivated men, prepared well and I didn’t feel that spark, that energy off the players.
“You’re all probably saying, ‘Here he goes again’.
“I’m trying to drag the team, trying to wake them up, but they never woke up.”
Shels now travel to Waterford at the RSC tomorrow with Duff saying he does not know what response to expect.
The Dubliner conceded: “I don’t know. For three years, we’ve been an incredibly motivated team.
“If you had a bad night, it was a given that you get a reaction. You know us.
“As I told the lads upstairs, I don’t know. Monday there will be a team, there will be changes.
“You never know with us anymore, which is damning. It’s damning on me because I’m the manager.
“So what comes on Monday, who knows? Absolutely, who knows?”
