BBC Breakfast presenter Charlie Stayt is reportedly facing bankruptcy alongside his wife Annie Breckell after the pair were served a petition by HMRC.
Stayt began his journalism and broadcasting career back in 1995 where he worked for ITN, before joining Five News and covering the 9/11 terror attacks and later rising up the ranks working for Sky News.
However, after nearly 20 years on the BBC’s prime morning show, Stayt and Breckell have found themselves £6,409 in the red as they filed their company’s accounts in December last year.
The couple – who have been married for 30 years – live in a £2.3million four-bedroom home in Twickenham, South West London and were recently threatened with bankruptcy by the government agency on Monday, The Sun reports.
Their company – Stayt Limited – lists both Stayt and Breckell as directors alongside Hogbens Dunphy Secretaries, accountants and tax consultants based in central London.
The business is listed as television programming and broadcasting activities.
Charlie has worked on Breakfast since 2006
BBC
A BBC spokesperson declined to comment as it is a “personal matter”.
GB News has contacted Stayt’s representatives for a comment.
As of July 2023, Charlie is said to earn between £190k and £194,999 a year for his presenting role on the BBC, while co-star Naga Munchetty takes home between £335,000 and £339,999 each year.
Reports of the star’s potential bankruptcy battle come after BBC Breakfast viewers claimed it was a “waste of money” to send Stayt to Downing Street to report on Rishi Sunak’s recent announcement about the General Election.
Charlie and his wife Annie are said to be in the red and were given petition by HMRC
GETTY
Due to his absence in the studio, Munchetty was joined by Nina Warhust who discussed the interview with the Prime Minister during the programme as things turned fiery during the line of questioning.
Annoyed viewers of the show took to their X account, as one complained: “Simple question – what purpose is served by Charlie being outside No10 this morning?”
“Why? You could do this in the studio,” another quizzed while a third went on: “What is the point of #bbcbreakfast Charlie presenting the programme from outside Downing Street today?”
“Why? Could even have done the interview online ….#wasteofmoney,” someone else complained. (sic)
The BBC recently came under fire for sending Stayt to report outside Downing Street
BBC
Since his arrival on Breakfast, Stayt has been the butt of many a joke, mainly coming from co-star Munchetty as the public often revels in their chemistry.
He has also been commended for his interviewing style after he took on pop star Lady Gaga and questioned her support for Hillary Clinton in the American presidential election of 2016 against Donald Trump.