Naga Munchetty has opened up about the time she was branded "b****y useless" in the early part of her journalism career which has spurred her on to become one of the UK's most respected broadcasters.
The BBC Breakfast presenter, 47, has been a regular presenter on the red sofa over the years, usually alongside Charlie Stayt. The pair look at ease while presenting on live television to millions of viewers but it hasn't always been plain sailing for Naga.
She worked her way up the ranks, like many budding journalists, after starting on the City Pages of the London Evening Standard before moving over to The Observer, where she worked on the business section.
It was during her time as a print journalist that criticism from her bosses brought her to tears as she recalled one particular incident when her copy was thrown at her.
However, she believes that those setbacks have helped her develop the thick skin needed in a social-media clan society, which scrutinises every minor mishap, to succeed in the media industry.
As part of a BBC 100th anniversary special, Naga spoke about about those tough experiences that have moulded her into the journalist and presenter she has become today.
She told Radio Times : "I was told I was b****y useless. I did go home many a day in tears, but equally, I learnt not to make mistakes, that mistakes weren’t acceptable.
"That fear of making a mistake meant that you did your research twice as well, and to the best of your ability."
Naga, who has presented the 11am to 1pm slot on Radio 5 Live since January 2021, also revealed how she was told that she needed to "toughen up" after registering an interest of presenting live on air. She added that she was told that she was "quite sensitive" as she took criticism from others too personally, something Naga admitted was the reality check she needed.
The BBC has often come under scrutiny for many different reasons over its 100 years of service, but the TV and radio host believes that during difficult times, such as the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II, the national broadcaster has a pride of place in millions of homes around the country.
She added: "In the last month or so — with the death of the Queen — the importance of the BBC and its place in our homes has been really emphasised… It was an immense privilege to be part of the funeral, commentating for Radio 5 Live."
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