SITTING on the couch with Hollywood curls, contemporary blonde highlights and a cute costume, Sally Nugent’s glamorous new look couldn’t be missed.
But whereas it went down very nicely with the BBC Breakfast viewers at residence, insiders inform me how behind-the-scenes the response to her look was much less beneficial – sparking a new wave of toxicity on the already troubled present.
I can reveal that one particular person particularly wasn’t impressed with Sally’s glam.
In a shock dig, her co-host Naga Munchetty, 50, is stated to have ranted: “We’re meant to be serious journalists, not trying to look like we’re presenting This Morning.”
It comes because the formal probe into alleged bullying behaviour from Munchetty stays ongoing.
An insider stated: “Sally’s had a glow-up and her new do is wanting incredible. But it ruffled feathers as is usually the best way within the showbiz trade.
“There had been a few remarks about it and Naga notably made a remark about them being journalists not This Morning hosts.
“Things have been ticking along fairly quietly for the last couple of months whilst the bullying investigations continued but this was a nasty little moment.”
Those watching at residence had been actually way more beneficial in direction of her as she took to the couch on Monday with Jon Kay.
One particular person remarked on-line: “Sally’s looking glam today”, whereas one other famous: “Nice hair Sally”.
Indeed, she was dressed to impress in a yellow and blue polka dot costume – and rather than her traditional straight hair was a bouncy blow dry.
Sally posed for beautiful pictures along with her new locks earlier this month, carrying a fitted t-shirt embroidered with the phrase “baby”.
She tagged movie star hair colourist Calum Tierney within the snap, who has painted stars together with Michelle Keegan and Samia Longchambon.
‘Particularly targeted’
Our insider added: “Sally tries to maintain out of the rivalries however this latest remark feels notably focused. What’s improper with having a couple of highlights and making an attempt out new types?
“Sally is loving the new look – it doesn’t detract in any way from her work or how good a journalist she is.”
Sally separated from her husband of 13 years, businessman Gavin Hawthorn, in May 2023.
They have a son collectively, who was 17 once they cut up, however she has all the time stored her household life out of the highlight.
She hosts BBC Breakfast alongside Jon, 56, Monday to Wednesday, with Naga and Charlie Stayt masking Thursday to Saturday.
Sally landed the coveted position again in 2021 when Louise Minchin departed and gushed on the time: “I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s an honour to take the reins from Louise and be part of the UK’s most watched breakfast show.”
Naga has been a part of the present for for much longer, touchdown an everyday presenter slot in 2014 and her wage seems to replicate that.
The BBCs annual pay report revealed Naga’s salary was between £355,000 and £359,000 – dwarfing the pay of her co-host Charlie Stayt, though the massive sum additionally consists of her work on Radio 5.
Sally is on £200,000 and fellow pink couch presenter Jon Kay makes £240,000.
Sally’s had a glow-up and her new do is wanting incredible. But it ruffled feathers as is usually the best way within the showbiz trade
Insider
But uncertainty lingers over Naga’s place on the BBC because the investigation into her conduct rumbles on.
Question marks had been first raised over Naga’s position final September when complaints in opposition to under-fire director Richard Frediani weren’t upheld following a probe that rocked the award-winning present.
The inquiry, first revealed by The Sun in June, sparked counter-claims in opposition to Munchetty.
Frediani, who stands beforehand accused of shaking a female colleague and aggressive behaviour, was backed by Beeb bosses however many noticed this because the cue for Naga’s departure.
Complaints in opposition to Naga vary from laying into an intern for incorrectly spreading Marmite on her toast by means of to creating an unwelcome, sexual comment to a feminine colleague.
‘External noise’
The Sun revealed that Naga had been hauled in by bosses for bullying a junior member of the workforce and making a intercourse gag to a different. She had additionally faced complaints after a conflict with Spice Girl Geri Horner.
After a string of additional allegations in opposition to the Radio 5Live journalist, bosses escalated to a full probe in November.
The insider added: “The Naga situation remains an Albatross around Breakfast’s neck and no one really seems to know what to do. It’s like they’re hoping it will just go away.”
Some complaints had been raised beneath the BBC’s Call It Out scheme – an initiative arrange within the aftermath of the scandal over former MasterChef presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
In the wake of the complaints, we informed how BBC bosses had been assigned “watchdogs” to watch Naga after she was positioned beneath investigation.
The presenter is permitted to work solely with sure producers on BBC Breakfast and Radio 5 Live.
A supply stated: “Naga has certain members of production monitoring her and her interactions. She’s only allowed to speak to specific people, too. It’s far from ideal as a way of working and everyone hopes it comes to a head some way or another soon.”
Insiders stated on the time that they thought Munchetty’s place had been weakened by the resignation of information chief Deborah Turness, who was considered defending her.
Naga is eager to leap ship, with Naga’s workforce reportedly approaching LBC and Sky News to discover alternatives.
We beforehand informed how she not has heavyweight showbiz company M&C Saatchi in her nook.
Over the summer time, an insider defined: “Naga loves the BBC and her job however there’s solely a lot exterior noise anybody is ready to take.
“Her team last week renewed talks with LBC. The Global Radio station would suit her as there’s far less of the fluffy nonsense that’s involved in working at the BBC.”
A BBC spokesperson stated: “We do not comment on individual staff issues.”
