Munchetty, 51, made a series of jokey 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.
Sources have now claimed the newsreader’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 Munchetty had made the comments because she “just can’t help herself” and claimed her behaviour has “significantly backfired”.
BBC
“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,” a source told the Daily Mail.
They went on: “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].”
The Standard has contacted Munchetty’s representative for comment.
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!”
BBC
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?”
Munchetty later grilled her co-star on whether she had ever taken anything from the BBC set during her almost three decades at the broadcaster.
And 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.
BBC
“[Carol] seems artificially chirpy tbh. That Naga used to be quite rude to her and she just laughed,” one fan wrote on X.
“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,” another added.
“Maybe Naga and Carol really didn’t get on…” a third suggested.
The comments were also perceived as teasing by some fans considering the pair’s lengthy working relationship.
Kirkwood confirmed this in a recent interview, insisting: “I love Naga and we just have banter. I love the camaraderie between us and everyone. It’s a good, fun job.”
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”.