BBC Breakfast presenter Charlie Stayt has been a fixture on the show for over 15 years, but what many people don't know is that he has been battling a debilitating health condition
10:10, 03 Nov 2025
BBC Breakfast's Charlie Stayt is best known for fronting the popular programme and has remained a mainstay on the show for more than 15 years.
He typically starts the nation's day with breaking news stories alongside his colleague, Naga Munchetty, with the pair of journalists presenting the programme together after becoming permanent hosts in 2014.
Before this, Charlie had worked as a presenter on the show from 2006, whilst Naga had been an occasional presenter prior to securing her main hosting role in 2014.
Nevertheless, the seasoned broadcaster has faced numerous challenges during his career. What stays fairly unknown is that he once struggled with a crippling health condition impacting his foot, reports the Express.
In 2014, Dr Amrit Ryatt appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about gout. According to Arthritis UK, gout is a form of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid crystals build up in and around a person's joints.
"It's an inflammatory type of arthritis," Dr Ryatt explained at the time. "It's the most common form, and it can affect one or several joints in the body, giving a variety of symptoms - some short, acute symptoms, and if left untreated, it can go on to cause other complications."
She continued: "Women have likened it to childbirth, and men also describe it as very painful too. Some people can't even tolerate having a simple bed sheet touching the joint that's affected. It's that painful."
At that point, research indicated that 1 in 40 individuals across the UK suffered from gout and whilst on air, Charlie disclosed that he was amongst those affected.
"I'm not over keen on sharing my medical history on television, but I've had gout in my foot and it is extraordinarily painful and happened very quickly - literally, sort of, overnight," he shared.
"And it makes you question, because it's linked to diet a lot, traditionally it's alcohol for example."
It comes as colleagues Jon Kay and Sally Nugent were forced to deliver some devastating news on Monday's (November 3) episode of BBC Breakfast.
Travellers journeying from Doncaster to London were targeted in a horrific knife rampage aboard a train on Saturday night.
Eleven people required hospital treatment following the brutal assault. One victim - a railway worker - remains fighting for their life.
Addressing viewers at home, Sally opened the programme by saying: "Good morning. It's Monday, the 3rd of November. Extra police officers are being deployed across England's rail network today, after passengers were attacked in a mass stabbing on a train from Doncaster to London."
Jon explained: "One member of rail staff remains in a life-threatening condition this morning. A 32-year-old man from Peterborough is now the only suspect."
It has since been confirmed that Anthony Williams has been charged with one count of actual bodily harm and one count of possession of a bladed article.
BBC Breakfast is broadcast daily from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer