Naga Munchettys Sharp Exit Sparks BBC Drama

It's been another fraught week for the - from the scandal swirling around the shock sacking of Scott Mills to losing their beloved weather woman, , after three decades on-air.

With tensions behind the scenes at an all-time high, the last thing BBC bosses needed was another slew of unfavourable headlines.

But that's exactly what's been sparked by, of all things, an apparent dig at viewers' favourite Carol from presenter – with insiders telling the Daily Mail 'she just can't help herself'.

The newsreader, 51, has been criticised for a seemingly brutal parting shot at Carol, 63, during her final appearance on Wednesday's show.

After playing some of her on-screen highlights, Naga joked: 'I am just waiting for the countdown for you to go.' Ouch!

To add salt to the perceived wound, Naga also conspicuously failed to join other newsreaders in doing a pre-recorded solo tribute. Instead, she handed Carol a painting of Little Miss Sunshine by Mr Men illustrator Adam Hargreaves, quipping: 'So here is a rare glimpse into me being lovely to you... So what do we call you? Not off-air! On-air. Little Miss Sunshine, maybe?'

It is no secret that Naga is talented at live presenting, and readily able to improvise when things go wrong. But this is far from the first time she has landed herself in hot water with on-air digs at colleagues.

One BBC insider tells me: 'It certainly was bizarre and there were awkward laughs from the production staff, I am told. The problem is that Naga just can't help herself sometimes, and it's significantly backfired, right in the week when the rest of the BBC needed to behave.

'It raises the question of how she is still there. She is great at her job. But it's seeming to become a series of sly and awkward jabs - all on live television.

'It's just not what the BBC needs right now as it comes into a hopefully new and fresh era [as former Google executive Matt Brittin becomes the new director-general].'

Naga's remarks could, of course, be written off as simply friendly teasing between two women who have worked alongside each other for years. Indeed, in a recent interview, Carol – who is retiring to travel and enjoy more time with her police officer husband Steve Randall – was at pains to explain: 'I love Naga and we just have banter. I love the camaraderie between us and everyone. It's a good, fun job.'

Nevertheless, viewers have been quick to voice their shock. One penned on X: 'Naga tried her usual gotcha tactics to embarrass Carol,' while another wrote: 'Maybe Naga and Carol really didn't get on...'

It's not the first time worried viewers have pointed out the apparent on-air tension.

The former said: 'I think Nana is a phantom producer that you just make up so you can abuse me by mispronouncing my name.' Holding her face in her hands, Carol quipped back: 'The shame, Naga, the shame.'

as Carol got ready to present the forecast for Christmas.

Whatever the truth,

Naga, who is married to television director and broadcast consultant James Haggar, faces an uncertain future at the BBC after the corporation reportedly instigated a formal investigation following accusations of bullying against her.

In August, TV sources claimed several colleagues had logged concerns over her 'hard' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as on her Radio 5 Live show.

At the time, bosses launched a review. According to reports, this has now escalated to a formal probe after further complaints were made.

The TV host, who started working on the programme in 2009, is paid between £355,000 and £359,999 a year for BBC Breakfast and fronting her Radio 5 show. She has also competed on Strictly Come Dancing, making it to week four with partner Pasha Kovalev in 2016.

Naga's conduct first came under scrutiny when BBC Breakfast's editor Richard Frediani reportedly took an extended period of leave after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show.

In September, it was reported that he had been cleared of wrongdoing and a formal investigation would not be launched - something presenting duo Naga and Charlie Stayt were said to be furious about.