Hidden Waves at the BBC: Body language experts reveal Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty are truly at odds!
RUMOURS have persisted that there’s tension behind the scenes at BBC Breakfast – with Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty caught in the eye of the storm.
But those whispers reached fever pitch earlier this week, after The Sun exclusively revealed the extent of the t0xic atmosphere on set.
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Body language expert Judi James agrees there’s tension between BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty (pictured here in 2023)Credit: BBC
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Charlie has been on the BBC since 2008Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Naga joined him on the BBC Breakfast sofa in 2014Credit: Getty
Worryingly, a bully1ng investigation has now been launched, following shocking complaints made against the programme’s “tyr@nnical” boss Richard Frediani – with insiders reporting he’s “aggr3ssive” in his management style.
But beyond the accusations stacked against the big boss, it’s now been reported that tension between presenters Charlie and Naga is at an all-time high…adding to the t0xic environment on and off camera.
It’s no secret that the co-stars often share disagreements on air, and aren’t afraid to playfully tease each other during their live segments.
They’ve even been described by fans as “spiky” in their interactions with each other.
Yet, despite the palpable tension, Naga and Charlie have always insisted their dynamic is nothing more than cheeky “banter” – and that they really are good friends.
Now, however, the rumours are louder than ever that – far from being playful – the BBC colleagues really are at odds, and their antipathy towards each other is getting increasingly harder to laugh off.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, celebrity body language expert Judi James says the proof is in the pouting.
“The playful disagreements do seem to provide a glimpse into what looks like genuine tension or irritation between Naga and Charlie,” Judi explains.
“There are hints of what looks like some genuine moments of frustration or even tetchiness.”
According to her, there’s a long list of “battle cues” that come from the pair’s eye movements, frustrated stares into the camera and straight-faced reactions – all pointing to a general feeling of unease on the famous sofa.
BBC Breakfast hit by BULLY1NG probe as tensions between hosts Naga Munchetty & Charlie Stayt spiral
BBC Bully probe
BBC Breakfast hit by BULLY1NG probe as tensions between hosts Naga Munchetty & Charlie Stayt spiral
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Butting heads in 2022 – a row over pigeons prompts Naga to make some disapproving eyes at the camera
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Plastering on smiles – despite rumours of tension behind the scenesCredit: PA
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Another awkward clash – this time over sandwiches in 2023Credit: BBC
Judging by the bad blood that’s raging behind the scenes, it seems like the BBC has yet another crisis on its hands – despite doing everything in its power to avoid another scandal, following Huw Edwards’ arrest and Strictly Come Dancing pros coming under investigation.
As one insider told The Sun, tension is “rife” between Naga and Charlie, and it’s becoming impossible to contain.
Starting out
Charlie and Naga first started working together in 2014 – when she joined him on the sofa every Thursday to Saturday on BBC Breakfast.
At first, viewers were thrilled by their dynamic chemistry, and the fact they weren’t afraid to rock the boat on air.
To that end, they got increasingly comfortable with calling each other up on any faux pas or on-air mistakes, or butting heads if they didn’t agree on the topic of the day.
There are hints of frustration or even tetchiness
Body language expert Judi James
But over the past few years, viewers have become increasingly uncomfortable with the pair’s on-screen interactions.
As the eyerolls, deep sighs and interruptions have increased, so too have the rumours that there really is trouble behind the scenes, and that the colleagues may be protesting too much when they rubbish whispers of a rift.
Speaking to The Times in April, Naga insisted that she considered Charlie a “good friend”.
But then, she seemed to undermine her own statement, adding that you could easily “fake” an on-air chemistry.
“Oh, you can fake it, of course you can,” she said. “You wrestle with egos all the time, in front and behind the camera. Know your worth.”
So, the question is, are she and Charlie faking it after all?
Looking back at some of their most infamous interactions, the evidence speaks for itself.
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The duo enjoy a pint after work in AprilCredit: Splash
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They have said they are good friends away from the sofaCredit: Splash
Cat among the pigeons
One of the Beeb stars’ most infamous rows broke out in 2022, while Charlie and Naga discussed homing pigeons.
Recalling the theme tune to the classic cartoon Wacky Races, Charlie insisted it was titled, “Catch The Pigeon” – as Naga claimed it was “Stop The Pigeon”.
As Charlie attempted to protest, Naga rolled her eyes, before looking online and confirming she was right. And – as he then continued to argue against it – she seemed to get more and more irate.
According to body language expert Judi, the short segment speaks volumes.
“Charlie started the disloyal-looking act by staring into the camera to enlist the viewer while Naga looked the title up,” she tells us.
Her body language seems to show genuine frustration
Judi James
“There were then moments of mutual interruption of talking over each other, and this was when her body language seems to show genuine frustration.
“When she rolls her eyes, which is a dismissive gesture of frustration.”
Naga then looks at the weather man and gives another eye roll, which is the “inclusion of an invisible wingman” suggesting “other people on the show will agree with her.”
Judi adds: “Her irritated-sounding ‘I’ll stop now shall I?’ comes with another knowing look to the side and a mirthless laugh.
“Naga then leans back and pit-bares in a power display and performs an angry rustling of her papers.”
Still, at this point, it could still be considered “banter” – especially, as Judi points out, compared to all the “fake sofa chemistry” we often see on daytime TV.
But as the months and years have progressed, the mock indignation seems to be getting more legitimate.
Call the mediator
Just look at a segment back in 2023, when Naga claimed they needed the weather presenter to “mediate” between them.
As Charlie said he felt relieved about the colder weather, as it meant he could stay indoors and watch TV guilt-free, Naga barked back, “I feel no guilt,” adding, “I think it’s going to be sunny.”
The weatherman then responded, “You’re right, Naga” – adding that it would “turn chilly” with “ a few sunny spells”.
Feeling vindicated, Naga joked, “Look at you mediating between us. It’s part of the job, isn’t it.”
Her comments were in jest but, as Judi explains, there was tension behind the banter – suggesting that the “chill” in the air was cooler than the weather.
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Another awkward interaction – leading Naga to ask the BBC weatherman to mediate between themCredit: BBC
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Naga is known – and loved by many – for not mincing her words or pandering to her co-hostCredit: BBC
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The setting for so much tension behind the scenesCredit: BBC
Still, Judi gives kudos to Naga for standing her ground.
“There is still very unfair pressure on female presenters to be ‘bubbly’ and Naga doesn’t follow that rule,” she says.
“She is quite comfortable asserting her authority and even showing her displeasure at times.”
Later that year, the pair butted heads again, after discussing the nation’s favourite sandwich.
As Charlie listed the public’s top choices, Naga argued that people wouldn’t make something as elaborate at home as they might buy in a shop.
Seconds later, Charlie said, “I have to say, it is a very different thing, the sandwich you choose to buy off a shelf, to one you might make at home” – to which Naga retorted, “That’s what I just said.”
The pair may have, once again, laughed it off as playful ribbing, but the public felt the discomfort – and so did Judi, telling us, “Naga’s body wince did look more personal there.”
‘Mansplaining’ moment
Viewers were quick to spot Naga’s agonised face as Charlie went into a long-winded story about a race, in April 2025.
They were discussing Jamaican Olympic sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – described as the third fastest woman in history – competing in the “parents’ race” at her children’s sports day.
Charlie told a long story about sports presenter Mike Bushell competing against top athletes in a 60m race on a previous programme.
One viewer sarcastically quipped on X: “As ever Naga looking impressed with Charlie’s mansplaining of the trivial news item slot.”
And Judi says this is the perfect example of Naga refusing to fit the female presenter stereotype which viewers may be used to.
“The way Naga sustains quite a long and judgmental-looking stare through Charlie’s story does look a little harsh given the normal, traditional TV role-play where it will be the woman telling the self-effacing story while the man sits looking like an unimpressed alpha,” she says.
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Naga’s infamous for her unimpressed stares – demonstrated during the discussion in AprilCredit: BBC
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She refuses to hold back when it comes to contradicting her co-hostCredit: BBC
Tensions high
Fast forward to today, and general consensus is there is trouble in paradise.
Taking to the sofa last week, Naga managed to mix up the names of sports presenter Mike Bushell and weatherman Matt Taylor.
As she self-deprecatingly laughed at her mistake, Charlie chimed in, “Maybe you’re getting confused because there’s a heat warning in place and it’s already affecting you!”
Once again, his comments could be laughed off, but – knowing what we’ve heard about the bubbling tension – it’s safe to say the sentiment did more harm than good.
What now?
At this point, any suggestion that Naga and Charlie are anything more than spirited colleagues remains conjecture.
While Naga has insisted they’re good friends, Charlie himself has remained tight-lipped – but he’s always laughed off their sparring on camera.
A large part of the rumours are owed to the allegations stacked against breakfast show boss Frediani.
As The Sun reported, formal complaints have been lodged, accusing him of sh0uting at employees when mistakes were made on air, and k1cking a bin in a moment of anger.
Naga seems to reverse the formula
Judi James
He’s also alleged to have physic@lly shaken a lower-ranking female editor – a complaint which the BBC upheld.
Naga, for her part, has been described as being “passionate about speaking up if she believes something is wrong.”
This has reportedly led to her coming to blows with Frediani – prompting incredibly icy relations between the presenter and her boss.
Meanwhile, sitting beside Charlie on the BBC sofa, she’s clearly unwilling to fall into any gender-stereotyped role, and play the “bubbly”, “giggling” female presenter.
As Judi explains, that might be why there are so many rumours swirling around them – because they don’t fit the usual breakfast presenter tropes.
“Naga seems to reverse the funny-girl / straight-guy formula, which is maybe not a bad thing,” she says.
“Traditionally, the woman would be laughing and nodding along in encouragement. The straight stares would not be seen as unusual if they came from the man.”
