Charlie Stayt was born on 19 June 1962 in Gloucester, England and grew up with two older siblings. He attended The King’s School, Gloucester, Wycliffe College and later studied at Birmingham Polytechnic (now Birmingham City University), laying the foundation for a media career.

He began in commercial radio in Gloucester before moving to London, hosting Capital Radio’s news programme The Way It Is and reporting for LBC and BBC Radio 5 Live. In 1995 Stayt started his television career at ITN, later joining Five News as a reporter and presenter, anchoring headline coverage including the 9/11 terror attacks. He also appeared on Sky News and hosted programmes like Jailbreak and Are You Telepathic?.

Stayt joined BBC Breakfast in 2006, initially as a relief newsreader and later as the weekend and Thursday–Saturday main presenter, often alongside Naga Munchetty. He reports political and breaking news, conducts interviews with politicians and public figures, and is a recognised face of the BBC morning schedule.

Away from the sofa, Charlie is a family man having been in marriage with Anne Breckell since 1995. They share two children, a daughter and a son.