Watch as Naga Munchetty is scolded by Charlie Stayt live on BBC Breakfast for 'bringing the tone down' with 'mean and awkward' swipe at guest - YEARS before bullying probe

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

Naga Munchetty was scolded by Charlie Stayt live on BBC Breakfast for 'bringing the tone down' with a 'mean and awkward' swipe at a co-star - YEARS before the bullying probe came to light.
The morning programme, which hit our screens in 2000, has hit headlines in recent weeks as a number of those working on the show has come under criticism, including Naga and editor Richard Frediani.
And now a clip, that came years before the bullying row, has shown an awkward segment between the stars of the show.
In an episode, which aired on July 15 2022, Naga was joined by Charlie in the studio as they caught up with the new business presenter Hannah Miller.
Hannah, who had only been part of the team for a number of months, was live from market town Nantwich in Cheshire to chat to an ice cream business owner.
She told Naga: 'I bet you wish you were here', to which Naga replied: 'I don't like ice cream, Hannah.'
A shocked Hannah replied: 'You don't like ice cream?!'
Naga confessed: 'If I had to eat an ice cream for the rest of my life it would be pistachio flavour, but I don't like cold food.'
Hannah was keen to find out what she is a fan of, asking: 'Do you like brownies?'
'Mm, not sure much,' Naga awkwardly replied. 'But you know, we'll get to know each other! You'll find out Charlie likes ice cream.'
Hannah told her: 'I won't be bringing brownies into the office then...'
As they returned to the studio, Naga told Charlie: 'Imagine that. What's your job? Oh I've got to be sent to an ice cream factory and you actually like an ice cream parlour.'
Charlie replied: 'Do you think you rather brought the tone down there?!'
'Oh be quiet!' Naga said back. 'I apologise...'
Charlie trailed off: 'Hannah was working hard, doing the story and then...'
It comes after BBC Breakfast bosses were reportedly forced to apologise to Geri Halliwell-Horner after a very awkward interview with Naga and Charlie.
During the awkward resurfaced interview from October 2023, Naga, caught the Spice Girl off guard as she asked: 'Do you not like being interviewed?'
After the segment ended, Geri, 52, allegedly said she did not want to appear on the show opposite the pair ever again.
The claims emerged amid total chaos at BBC Breakfast - and a power struggle between bosses and presenters described by one source as being like 'The Hunger Games'.
Its editor Richard Frediani has taken an extended period of leave amid claims he is too tough. There are also allegations that Naga and Charlie have fallen out.
When Munchetty and Stayt interviewed Geri almost two years ago, viewers were shocked how awkward it was.
Naga probed Geri on whether she had 'researched' them before the interview, while Charlie accused her of 'pointing her finger' a lot during the chat.
During the discussion, Naga said: 'Do you know what, you're very interesting as an interviewee. You've come in, making sure you've done your research on us as well haven't you?'
Geri insisted it was the 'polite thing to do', before Charlie jumped in, and said: 'Also, you point your finger quite a lot, to be honest.'
Shocked, she replied: 'Is that rude?! I'm so sorry Charlie.' Naga then bluntly said: 'Do you not like being interviewed?'
Now it has emerged that the BBC later gave Geri an apology.
A source has told The Sun: 'Everyone noticed the interview was becoming quite awkward and then when Geri referenced Naga's life directly things got really frosty.
'Geri isn't used to that kind of approach and felt ambushed, it unnerved her.
'A few people apologised afterwards for Naga being a cow to her and then Geri made it clear she didn't want to be interviewed by them again in future.'
MailOnline have contacted BBC representatives for comment.
At the time Geri appeared on the breakfast show to promote her latest novel and was outlining the 'rules' behind her drive.
She began: 'First rule: have courage, take the chance you fear the most,' pointing at Naga she added 'which you did.'
The interview came just days after Naga had appeared before MPs to say she was 'never taken seriously' by doctors over her uterus condition.
Geri then continued: 'Second rule, united we stand, we need each other. Third rule, never give up, be of service, be useful. Fourth rule, if you don't like these rules, make up your own.'
It comes as BBC Breakfast staff defended their 'overwhelmingly loved' boss under fire from Naga - and claimed 'he's not a bully at all and the truth will come out'.
It was revealed last week that editor Richard Frediani has reportedly taken an extended period of leave, after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show.
It was previously claimed that the show's staff are feeling increasingly 'uneasy' around Frediani, and just last week it was claimed that Naga and other presenters no longer speak to their 'loathed' boss.
But now some have rushed to defend Frediani.
One of those members of staff told The Mirror: 'He is not a bully at all and the truth will come out.
'He's a great boss and was - and is still - overwhelmingly loved by the team, who respect his drive, expertise, and journalistic ambition.
'He has delivered great audiences and the first ever Bafta for Breakfast. He can be brash and opinionated but works so hard for his team and allows people to flourish.'
Another said: 'Yes, he is old-school and can rub people up the wrong way but it's always in the pursuit of great television.
'It's the best-rating breakfast show in the country - it's not supposed to be a walk in the park.
'Some - Naga included - need to understand this. It feels like it's a case of presenter power turfing out a brilliant journalist.'
A BBC spokesperson said: 'While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously.'
Last week the BBC have reportedly launched a bullying probe into BBC Breakfast, which has been branded 'toxic' behind the scenes in the latest crisis for the corporation.
Back in April, MailOnline exclusively revealed some staff had expressed unhappiness with the show's editor Richard Frediani, accusing him of being on occasion 'aggressive' and 'belittling' towards his underlings.
Now, tensions are said to be 'rife' between hosts and Charlie and Naga, who has already expressed her uneasiness about Frediani's behaviour, with the probe said to have left the newsroom 'divided'.
A source told The Sun at the time: 'To the viewer BBC Breakfast is a warm, gentle programme, one that is flourishing in the ratings. But beyond the cosy red sofa it is a very different picture.
'Several people — crew, production and even presenters — have been very unhappy'.
'Tension between Charlie and Naga is rife.
'Fredi is very old-school and has some slightly tyrannical tendencies.
'He is very cerebral but also quite aggressive in his methods. Some people think a recent promotion has gone to his head'.
'Meanwhile, Naga, who is passionate about speaking up if she believes something is wrong, has spoken to people who are unhappy.
'Formal complaints have been lodged, so the BBC has to be seen to act.
'The probe has really divided the newsroom'.
More recently BBC Breakfast staff have reportedly compared the studio to 'the Hunger Games' after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show.