BBC Breakfast viewers lodged formal complaints after a joking exchange between Naga Munchetty and long-time weather presenter Carol Kirkwood during her farewell show sparked criticism from some fans.
Carol signed off from BBC Breakfast in April after 25 years with the corporation, with colleagues paying tribute to her career throughout the programme. But one light-hearted remark from Naga drew mixed reactions and later prompted complaints to the BBC.
As a montage of Carol’s best moments was shown, Naga quipped: “I am just waiting for the countdown for you to go!” The studio erupted in laughter, but some viewers watching at home felt the comment was awkward and inappropriate.
Several fans questioned the pair’s relationship on social media. One wrote: “Maybe Naga and Carol really didn’t get on…” Another asked why Munchetty had not recorded a separate tribute like other presenters, claiming she instead relied on her “usual gotcha tactics” to embarrass her colleague.
Others defended the presenter, pointing out that she had been present throughout the farewell and had gifted Carol a “Little Miss Sunshine” illustration.
During the programme, Naga said: “So here is a rare glimpse into me being lovely to you… So what do we call you? Not off-air! On-air. Little Miss Sunshine maybe?”
She added: “We’ve been seeing these VTs all day, tributes, we all think you’re great, secretly. We know when we say to anyone ‘Carol is off’, they go, ‘Oh my goodness. No!'”
And referencing the Mr Men characters, she joked: “I think as Adam Hargreaves depicted, Little Miss Sunshine.”
The complaints were later reviewed by the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit, which ruled that they would not be upheld.
A BBC insider insisted there was no bad feeling between the two presenters.
“Naga and Carol have been very close personal friends for many years, as well as being very good colleagues as part of the BBC Breakfast team,” the source said.
“Everyone involved in Carol Kirkwood’s last programme for Breakfast on 1 April was there to pay tribute to Carol’s long service for the BBC, and they all did so fittingly.”
The controversy comes at a difficult time for Munchetty, whose future on BBC Breakfast remains uncertain following a formal investigation into allegations concerning her behaviour.
According to reports, the presenter has not been taken off air but has been restricted to working with certain members of the production team while the investigation continues.
Sources claimed the review had intensified following additional complaints and suggested the issue had become a major concern behind the scenes.
The BBC has repeatedly declined to discuss the allegations, stating only: “We do not comment on individual HR matters.”
Munchetty has also been linked with possible moves away from the corporation, having previously held talks with Sky News and LBC, although those discussions reportedly failed to progress.
Amid continuing speculation, the presenter faces an uncertain future as scrutiny surrounding BBC Breakfast and its workplace culture continues.
