Sally Nugent’s glamorous new look on BBC Breakfast ‘sparks brutal jibe from under-fire Naga Munchetty as her bullying probe rumbles on’

Sally Nugent’s dazzling new appearance on BBC Breakfast has sparked outrage at one of its biggest stars as the under-fire show remains at the center of a bullying investigation.

Naga Munchetty first came under scrutiny in August after several colleagues allegedly raised concerns about her ‘harsh’ and ‘bullying’ behaviour, and it was reported in November that this had escalated into a full-scale investigation.

And now it’s claimed that while some viewers may be delighted with Sally’s ‘glow’, Naga has added further venom to the troubled series with a brutal review of her new look.

Accordingly SunNaga shouted: ‘We must be serious journalists, not trying to look like we’re presenting on This Morning.’

Sally previously shared photos of her flowing new hairstyle on Instagram, tagging hair colourist Calum Tierney, who has worked on stars including Michelle Keegan and Samia Longchambon.

Sources said he had done his best to “stay away” from any competition on BBC Breakfast but Naga’s comments were “particularly targeted”.

Naga Munchetty came under scrutiny in August after several colleagues allegedly raised concerns about her ‘harsh’ and ‘bullying’ behaviour.

The insider said: ‘Things have been pretty quiet over the last few months as bullying investigations continue, but this was a sour moment.

‘Sally is trying to stay out of the competition but this last comment seems particularly targeted. What’s wrong with having a few highlights and trying new styles?

‘Sally loves the new look; This is in no way affected by the work he does or the fact that he is a good journalist.’

A representative for the BBC told the Daily Mail: ‘We do not comment on individual staff matters.’ The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Sally Nugent and Naga Munchetty for comment.

Sally presents BBC Breakfast with Jon Kay from Monday to Wednesday; Naga leads the program with Charlie Stayt from Thursday to Saturday.

She joined the show in 2021 following the departure of Louise Minchin, while Naga has been a part of the show since 2014.

Sally split from her husband, businessman Gavin Hawthorn, in May 2023 after 13 years together. They share a son together.

Naga’s future at BBC Breakfast remains in doubt after an official investigation into his behavior was launched in November.

Now it’s claimed Naga has slammed Sally’s new look: ‘We have to be serious journalists, not trying to look like we’re presenting This Morning’

Sally previously shared photos of her flowing new hairstyle on Instagram, tagging hair dyer Calum Tierney, who has worked on stars including Michelle Keegan and Samia Longchambon.

The broadcaster, who is paid between £355,000 and £359,999 a year, is said to have been allowed to remain at the channel but will only work with certain producers while the investigation continues.

A source told The Sun at the time: ‘Naga has not been taken off air but some members of the production are now monitoring him and his interactions.

‘He is also only allowed to talk to certain people. This is far from ideal as a way of working and everyone hopes it will come to fruition one way or another soon.’

Naga faces an uncertain future at the broadcaster, with reports that the resignation of Deborah Turness could leave her ‘vulnerable’.

The former chief executive of BBC News resigned in November last year after one of Donald Trump’s speeches was incorrectly edited by Panorama.

An insider told the publication at the time: ‘Naga’s situation has been an albatross around Breakfast’s neck since June, when widespread bullying at Media City was first exposed by The Sun.

‘While others were exonerated, the investigation into Naga did the opposite; new complaints arose against him.

‘They had no choice but to take the events from the slightly softer ‘investigation stage’ to the official investigation. Of course, her critics gossip that the timing of Deborah’s departure was not entirely a coincidence.’

The BBC has repeatedly refused to comment on the allegations, saying ‘We do not comment on individual HR matters.’

Naga’s own conduct was thrown into doubt when it was reported that BBC Breakfast’s editor, Richard Frediani, had taken an extended leave of absence following the opening of an internal review into allegations of bullying and abuse on the programme.

Naga was reportedly spoken to by managers after a junior employee accused the journalist of bullying them.

It was also reported that he was dragged into a meeting after being accused of making a sex joke during a commercial break while hosting the radio show.

The presenter is believed to have used a vulgar slang term for a sex act and asked a colleague if he had done it before.

Naga’s co-host Charlie also remains ‘under review,’ according to the publication.

Naga is no longer represented by agent M&C Saatchi, who also dropped former BBC One Show presenter Jermaine Jenas following the sex scandal.

Naga’s future on BBC Breakfast remains in doubt after an official investigation into his behavior was launched in November

Its new agents are reportedly ‘in talks with rival station LBC’ to explore other opportunities.

The journalist is paid almost twice as much as her co-host Charlie, 63, and remains in the £190,000 bracket as tensions between the pair are said to be ‘intense’.

Naga hosts BBC Breakfast with Charlie from Thursday to Saturday, while Jon Kay and Sally Nugent join the show from the start of the week.

It has been a tumultuous time for the BBC after its director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness sensationally resigned amid an impartiality row after an internal report accused them of institutional bias and censorship.

MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace, 61, has been sacked following a series of allegations of misconduct relating to his time on the show.

Then in September it was announced that Irish chef Anna Haugh, 44, would take over from John Torode, who lost his job after two decades amid allegations he used “racist language in 2018”.