BBC's Naga Munchetty defends Paris Opening Ceremony after co-star's scathing verdict

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BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has defended Paris’ Olympics Opening Ceremony after Friday night’s four-hour spectacle.

Despite highlights including iconic singer Celine Dion singing atop the Eiffel Tower, the ceremony received a mixed reception from viewers tuning in worldwide.

Team GB was out in full force for the occasion, with gold medal winners Tom Daley and Helen Glover bearing the flag along the Seine.

However, the ceremony has been dubbed the “worst in history” by some disappointed fans thanks to an unexpected downpour, embarrassing gaffes and some baffling moments.

Naga’s co-presenter Mike Bushell was watching along and admitted: “I really enjoyed it, but there was a lot of debate.

BBC’s Naga Munchetty defends Paris Opening Ceremony after brutal verdict (Image: BBC/GETTY)

“I was on a lot of group chats, and lots of different opinions. A lot of people thought it was a bit weird and disjointed in the end.”

Though he then conceded: “But there were some fabulous moments.”

After Mike’s lacklustre verdict of the event, Naga chimed in to suggest the ceremony would have been much more impressive up close.

“I think if you were there and part of the atmosphere it would have been very, very different,” she said.

Charlie, Naga and Mike discuss the opening ceremony in the BBC studio (Image: BBC)

“And then just seeing it on television and being so many steps removed…”

Mike then remarked: “I still don’t know how they got that big floating balloon on fire and into the air. That was spectacular.”

Their co-star Charlie Stayt then weighed in to point out what was undeniably the biggest drawback of the night.

“The reality check is the weather was dreadful!” he said. “I feel when they envisaged those scenes unfolding it was not in those conditions.”

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The Eiffel Tower was lit up to mark the start of the games (Image: GETTY)

“But they carried on,” Mike added, impressed. While Naga noted: “And the athletes looked so excited.

“They properly bought into it, so the excitement of the games is still there.”

Paris will have another chance to impress viewers with the traditional Olympics Closing Ceremony, which will bring the games to an end on Sunday, August 11.

BBC Breakfast airs from 6am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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BBC's Naga Munchetty defends Paris Opening Ceremony after co-star's scathing verdict

BBC's Naga Munchetty defends Paris Opening Ceremony after co-star's scathing verdict

BBC's Naga Munchetty defends Paris Opening Ceremony after co-star's scathing verdict

BBC's Naga Munchetty defends Paris Opening Ceremony after co-star's scathing verdict

BBC's Naga Munchetty defends Paris Opening Ceremony after co-star's scathing verdict