Naga Munchetty teased her BBC Breakfast co-host Charlie Stayt after he made a blunder while interviewing a celebrity guest.
The 51-year-old presenter faced backlash last week for making seemingly “rude” comments towards Carol Kirkwoodc, 63, during the BBC weather presenter’s last day.
It was later claimed the newsreader’s “digs” towards Kirkwood “backfired” and had the production team feeling “awkward” backstage.
But Munchetty stayed true to her jokey demeanour during Friday’s broadcast of the news programme when Stayt confused the new weather reporter Matt Taylor with show guest, actor Ralf Little.
Taylor gave a weather update live from Aintree Racecourse for Ladies Day to the hosts, who were sitting in the studio with Little.
After his segment, Taylor said: “Back to you both!” to which Stayt, 63, replied: “Thank you Ralf! Thanks very much...”
Realising his mistake, he added hastily: “I said Ralf! Thank you very much, how confusing.
“Matt, I'll explain. Matt the reason I said, ‘Thank you Ralf,’ to Matt is because Ralf is here! Okay?”
Little said jokingly: “Sorry about that, Matt.”
Stayt went on, laughing: “Ralf Little is with us in the studio, Matt, I'm just trying to choreograph things. Apologies all round.”
Munchetty raised her eyebrows and added sarcastically: “It's quite unusual for Matt to be there and for us to have a guest here, it confuses Charlie...”
Little replied: “It's confused everyone, it's confused me! We're all confused.”
The duo were interviewing Little about his appearance in the theatre production, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.
The awkward moment comes after Munchetty drew attention over her comments towards her former colleague Kirkwood on her final day at BBC Breakfast following 28 years as a weather presenter.
Munchetty made a series of teasing remarks that viewers claimed were intended to “embarrass” Kirkwood, with some fans even suggesting the pair “really don’t get on” behind-the-scenes.
She was also one of the only presenters not to make a pre-recorded solo tribute to Kirkwood.
During Kirkwood’s last day, several colleagues joined her on the sofa to bid farewell including Dan Walker, Mike Bushell, Matt Taylor, who will replace Kirkwood as weather presenter, and Munchetty.
Kirkwood appeared surprised that Munchetty was in the studio, saying: “Thank you all for coming - and even you, Nags!”
Munchetty - who was placed under review last year following complaints of bullying - said with a deadpan expression, “I’m just waiting for the countdown for you to go!” before laughing.
She then presented Kirkwood with a framed illustration by Mr Men artist Adam Hargreaves, portraying her as Little Miss Sunshine in a nod to her career as a weather correspondent.
Kirkwood said: “I will treasure this! It's going to have pride of place...” as Munchetty interrupted to ask: “In the toilet?”
After a special weather-themed cake was brought over to Kirkwood, she quipped: “Are you going to break the habit of a lifetime and actually share the cake?”
Kirkwood replied, “No, Naga, absolutely not - why would I do that? and Munchetty responded: “Exactly. Why change it? We're only going to remember you one way.”
The exchanges left viewers wondering if the pair harboured tensions backstage.
“Naga didn’t do a pre recorded solo tribute like the other newsreaders did who’ve worked with her for years. Instead she tried her usual gotcha tactics to embarrass Carol,” one wrote.
“Maybe Naga and Carol really didn't get on...” another suggested.
Sources later said Munchetty’s “awkward” and “sly jabs” had the worst timing considering the scandals the BBC has been mired ins recently, with Scott Mills’ sacking being the latest.
Insiders insisted she had made the comments because she “just can’t help herself” and claimed her behaviour has “significantly backfired”.
Munchetty presents BBC Breakfast alongside Charlie Stayt every Thursday to Saturday, having joined the show in 2014.
Last year, she was accused of being “hard” and “bullying” her coworkers and came under fire for two alleged incidents over a three-year period. She was accused of bullying a female colleague and making a “wildly unprofessional” off-air sex joke that left a co-worker “humiliated”.
The broadcaster will reportedly be allowed to remain at the BBC’s flagship morning show under strict conditions while an official investigation takes place.
