Ben Thompson interviews Rachel Reeves on BBC Breakfast
BBC Breakfast caused a controversy this weekend as Ben Thompson was left to present the show alone in the studio.
Sitting on the red couch by himself, Ben could only hand over to roving reporters for various segments, with Sarah Rogers live from Southport to report on an upcoming memorial service for the three stabbing victims.
Weather presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas was also on hand to provide reports – but Ben had to hold the fort mainly by himself.
It’s a shake-up to how things usually go down, with weekends tending to feature his co-presenter Luxmy Gopal. Fans clearly noticed the change, with one X user writing: “How come there’s no [woman] on the sofa today? Sunday should be a Luxmy day!”
Another penned: “Missus just wondered why is there only one presenter on Sunday’s BBC Breakfast but two during weekdays?” As someone else mused: “I was wondering as well. Holidays, sickness, people on social media moaning about not liking the different pairings?”
The popular morning show has been involved in a major scheduling shift in recent weeks, with the BBC Olympics coverage taking over on BBC One from 8am – while Breakfast usually runs until 9am. In the week, the show has been switching over to BBC Two from 8am, but at weekends it has cut off completely, leaving fans adrift.
Outraged fans were quick to react to the programme going ‘missing’ this Saturday (August 3), with one X user fuming: “Oy, what's going on thought we turn over to BBC Two dear lord!"
Another agreed: “I thought this, is it different on weekends?" to which the original poster replied: "It's the Olympics, but I suppose tomorrow will be the same. No wonder Naga [Munchetty] didn't show up!"
Also on Saturday, things turned awkward when Charlie Stayt was shut down by his co-presenter Rachel Burden after a tragic bit of health news. Discussing Aerosmith’s retirement from touring due to Steven Tyler’s vocal cord issues, the programme played their hit track I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing.
When the VT wrapped up, Charlie turned to Rachel, probing her with: "Did I hear you singing along then, Rachel? Did I hear that? I think I heard that.”
