Celebrities

BBC Breakfast Boss Accused of Bullying as Team Splits Over Shock Allegations

Published on June 25, 2025

There’s trouble brewing behind the scenes at BBC Breakfast, with show boss Richard Frediani currently on extended leave amid a wave of complaints about his conduct. While some staff are backing the claims of bullying and difficult behaviour, others have come out strongly in his defence, insisting he’s anything but a bully.

Frediani, who’s been running the flagship morning programme since 2019 and recently took on the News at One as well, has now found himself at the centre of a growing row. An internal investigation is under way, supported by HR advisers from PwC, as the BBC looks into the working culture of the programme.

Some BBC insiders have painted a picture of a brash but passionate boss who simply pushes for the best. “He is not a bully at all and the truth will come out,” one staffer told the Mirror. “He’s a great boss and was – and is still – overwhelmingly loved by the team, who respect his drive, expertise, and journalistic ambition. He has delivered great audiences and the first ever Bafta for breakfast TV. He can be brash and opinionated but works so hard for his team and allows people to flourish.”

Others aren’t so sure. There have been murmurs of tension between Frediani and presenters, with both Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt reportedly having strained relationships with him. One insider claimed Naga had even raised concerns about his management style with senior BBC managers.

Another added: “Yes, he is old-school and can rub people up the wrong way but it’s always in the pursuit of great television. It’s the best-rating breakfast show in the country – it’s not supposed to be a walk in the park.”

The more serious allegations include at least two official complaints, according to industry site Deadline. One of these involved a female staff member who said Frediani physically shook her during a heated newsroom exchange last year – and her complaint was upheld. Others said they had been shouted at when mistakes happened live on air, while one incident allegedly saw Frediani storm out of the gallery and kick a bin.

The investigation comes in the wake of wider scrutiny at the BBC, with Director-General Tim Davie and Chairman Samir Shah earlier this year promising a new era of accountability following the Huw Edwards scandal. An independent review by Grahame Russell from Change Associates found that some big names were not being held to account for poor behaviour, prompting BBC bosses to publicly declare they were drawing a line in the sand.

The corporation has said little officially about Frediani’s situation. “While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values,” said a spokesperson. “We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.”

As the investigation unfolds, the future of one of the BBC’s most watched programmes could hinge on the outcome – and whether the truth about Frediani’s leadership style is as divisive as it seems.

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