Naga Munchetty has hit out at the cruel comments trolls make about her appearance.
The BBC Breakfast News presenter, 50, is currently embroiled in a probe into the “bullying” culture at the flagship morning show, having reportedly raised concerns about outspoken editor Richard Frediani.
Amid the controversy, she discussed the “hurtful” remarks viewers have made about her weight and clothes when they approach her in the street.
“Things can be amplified really quickly when you have a public profile and being criticised, people don't think really,” she explained on Emily Dean's podcast Walking The Dog With Emily Dean.
“People believe they can say whatever they want to say and hurt and not think if they're hurting someone's feelings and not think if what they're doing is actually productive or just saying things for the sake of things.”
Munchetty went on: “I've had people come up to me saying, 'I don't like you on telly. Your radio show's, all right, it's quite interesting, but I don't like you on telly. I never watch you.’”
The broadcaster said she has changed the way she responds to these kinds of encounters.
“I kind of don't even rise to it now. I don't engage in it. Whereas before, I think when I was younger, I'd have said, 'what don't you like?' I don't care,” she explained.
“You think your opinion is so important that you get to tell me you don't like me? Some stranger, I'm a stranger to you.
“Or people who just say, 'I don't like what you're wearing today.' Alright, I'm not wearing it for you, I'm just wearing clothes... They've chosen to say something about me and it's affecting me. I can't be comparing myself to everyone else.”
Munchetty added: “The best thing people say is, 'Oh, you're not as fat as you look on telly.'”
She recalled a woman who recognised her in public and said, “on the television you look so wide” and asked her “What size are you?”
The presenter remarked: “Now I would not blink at having that conversation. I probably even told her my size... and I was so polite, whereas now I'd say, 'I don't think I need to tell you what size clothes I wear, do I?'
“And I'd say it in a nice-ish way with a bit of a smile, irony. But I have a lot more confidence about that now.”
Munchetty also revealed she has is more “mindful of her behaviour in public” because she is “representing” the BBC.
“When you watch Breakfast, you feel like you've got some trusted friends who are getting you through the day and through the news,” she said.
“There would be a slight disappointment, I think if you saw me, rip roaring drunk, rolling around the floor and shouting profanities.”
Her comments come amid an investigation into the behind-the-scenes culture at BBC Breakfast.
Last week, it was revealed editor Frediani has stepped away from his role for an extended period following a series of bullying allegations.
Munchetty and her co-host Charlie Stayt are believed to have a strained relationship with Frediani.
Frediani took a leave of absence after staff reportedly submitted multiple complaints against him.
He was accused of shouting, swearing and creating an intimidating working environment, sources told Deadline. The allegations date back further than his time at the BBC.
Former colleagues at ITN have also reportedly described Frediani as a “bully,” echoing similar claims of inappropriate workplace behaviour.
In April, it was claimed Muchetty was “barely speaking” to Frediani after allegedly accusing him of bullying and misconduct.
A source told The Times: "Fredi has no relationship with Charlie [Stayt] and Naga, which is weird when they are half of his frontline presenting roster.
“It appears he doesn't like them and they don't like him - for whatever reason, they don't talk to each other."
