BBC Breakfast Presenters in Bullying Row with Editor
A serious bullying row has erupted at the BBC’s Salford studios, with presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt barely speaking to their editor, Richard Frediani. The tension between the two parties has soured to such an extent that it has affected the working relationship between the presenters and their boss.
According to a senior BBC figure in Salford, the relationship between Munchetty, 50, and Stayt, 62, who earn a combined salary of about £545,000, and Frediani has deteriorated significantly. "Fredi has no relationship with Charlie and Naga, which is weird when they are half of his frontline presenting roster," the source claimed. "It appears he doesn’t like them and they don’t like him — for whatever reason, they don’t talk to each other."
The Times has learned that the situation has caused divisions within the BBC’s MediaCityUK headquarters, where Frediani has become a divisive figure. While some supporters argue that he has high standards and a competitive mindset that have helped grow audiences, others have raised concerns about his behaviour.
As reported by The Times, Frediani was installed as editor in 2019 and has since been given more power, including responsibility for the News at One and an extended Breakfast programme. However, an upheld formal grievance against him relating to allegations of shaking a female colleague in February 2024 has caused upset. According to Deadline, an industry website, this was the second workplace misconduct complaint since he was installed as editor.
The row has also affected other staff members, including Tina Daheley, a prominent newsreader who was expected to present the News at One bulletin. However, she has since opted against appearing, reportedly due to her photo being missed off a press release announcing the changes. Daheley was "very cross" about the error and has focused on her duties as a Radio 2 newsreader instead.
In response to the allegations, the BBC said it did not comment on individual HR issues. However, the timing of the reports is not ideal for the BBC, which is preparing to publish the results of its workplace culture review this month.
The situation has also led to concerns about a perceived culture of favouritism within the organisation. One former colleague said that senior journalists had been left in tears as a result of "getting the hairdryer treatment". There are also allegations of being shouted at for on-air mistakes, kicking things, and pressuring staff on central news desks not to withhold their best stories for the 6pm and 10pm bulletins.
As the BBC prepares to publish the results of its workplace culture review, the row highlights the challenges faced by the organisation in maintaining a positive working environment. According to The Times, supporters of Frediani argue that he has a clear understanding of audiences that many others lack, and that he has prioritised important coverage, including the Post Office scandal and the free school meals issue led by Marcus Rashford.
The allegations against Frediani were first reported by Deadline, an industry website. The website claimed that he had been named in reports about concerns over bullying behaviour at the BBC and ITN. While the BBC has not commented on individual HR issues, the row highlights the need for a positive and respectful working environment within the organisation.
In a statement, the BBC said it takes all allegations of bullying and harassment seriously and is committed to providing a safe and respectful working environment for all employees. The organisation is expected to publish the results of its workplace culture review later this month.
The row has also led to changes in the presenting lineup, with Nina Warhurst appointed as a regular presenter alongside Ben Brown, Jon Kay, and Sally Nugent. The changes have been made in response to Daheley’s decision not to travel to Salford, which has been complicated by her early morning responsibilities on Radio 2.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the BBC will address the allegations and work to improve its workplace culture. One thing is certain, however: the row has highlighted the need for a positive and respectful working environment within the organisation.
The Times understands that the situation is being closely monitored by BBC executives, who are keen to resolve the issue and move forward in a positive way.
Source: The Times: BBC Breakfast presenters in bullying row with editor Richard Frediani.
Richard Frediani was installed as editor in 2019, as The Times reported.
Tina Daheley was named as one of the launch presenters of the bulletin before it moved from London to Salford under Frediani in May, The Times reported.
Nina Warhurst is a business and consumer presenter on BBC Breakfast, according to The Times.
Supporters of Frediani argue that he has high standards and a competitive mindset which have helped grow audiences, The Times reported.
However, others pointed to an upheld formal grievance against Frediani relating to allegations of shaking a female colleague in February 2024, The Times reported.
The allegations against Frediani were first reported by Deadline, an industry website, as The Times reported.
According to The Times, the row highlights the challenges faced by the organisation in maintaining a positive working environment.
As The Times reported, the BBC said it did not comment on individual HR issues.
BBC Breakfast has won several awards, including a Royal Television Society Television Journalism award for its coverage of the free school meals issue led by Marcus Rashford, as The Times reported.
The row has also led to concerns about a perceived culture of favouritism within the organisation, The Times reported.
One former colleague said that senior journalists had been left in tears as a result of "getting the hairdryer treatment", according to The Times.
There are also allegations of being shouted at for on-air mistakes, kicking things, and pressuring staff on central news desks not to withhold their best stories for the 6pm and 10pm bulletins, The Times reported.
The situation has also led to changes in the presenting lineup, with Nina Warhurst appointed as a regular presenter alongside Ben Brown, Jon Kay, and Sally Nugent, as The Times reported.
The allegations against Frediani were first reported by Deadline, an industry website, as The Times reported.
In response to the allegations, the BBC said it did not comment on individual HR issues, The Times reported.
The row highlights the need for a positive and respectful working environment within the organisation, according to The Times.
The organisation is expected to publish the results of its workplace culture review later this month, The Times reported.
Supporters argue that Frediani has a clear understanding of audiences that many others lack — and that is really valued, The Times reported.
The Times understands that the situation is being closely monitored by BBC executives, who are keen to resolve the issue and move forward in a positive way.
As reported by The Times, the allegations against Frediani have caused upset.
The Times has learned that the situation has caused divisions within the BBC’s MediaCityUK headquarters, where Frediani has become a divisive figure.
The row has also affected other staff members, including Tina Daheley, a prominent newsreader who was expected to present the News at One bulletin, The Times reported.
According to The Times, the timing of the reports is not ideal for the BBC, which is preparing to publish the results of its workplace culture review this month.
The Times reported that the allegations against Frediani have been made by several staff members.
The allegations have been reported by Deadline, an industry website, and The Times.
BBC Breakfast presenters in bullying row with editor Richard Frediani was first reported by The Times.
