BATTLING BACKLASH
BBC Breakfast’s Jon Kay forced to apologise after ‘hundreds and hundreds’ of complaints just minutes into show
The response was overwhelming after a botched post from early in the programme
BBC BREAKFAST viewers were left so fuming that host Jon Kay was forced to issue an apology just minutes into Tuesday’s programme.
Jon revealed 'hundreds and hundreds' of emails had come in after a segment earlier in the broadcast.
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The discussion had focused on North Yorkshire council’s decision to not use apostrophes on street signs.
Fellow presenter Sally Nugent reported the council had opted to “do away with them altogether” amid claims they “confuse computer systems”.
Despite this, one resident had chosen to correct the signs using a pen marker.
Viewers soon took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share their frustrations about the change.
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One wrote: “Not sure why we’re all worried about AI taking over, when according to @NorthYorkshireCountyCouncil computers can’t even cope with apostrophes!"
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Another viewer shared: “@BBCBreakfast Why oh why is putting an apostrophe in its correct place to indicate possession or plural so difficult? Don't dumb down grammar!!"
Later on, Nina Warhurst wrapped up her segment on train strikes and urged viewers to get in contact with BBC Breakfast.
To this, Jon replied: "Sorry, there's no room in the inbox Nina. We're filled with punctuation problems."
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Nina joked back: “Quite right too.”
Jon commented: “Oh, my goodness. Hundreds and hundreds of messages about apostrophes coming in. We will read some later.”
Meanwhile, Sally added: “I’m slightly scared.”
Naga Munchetty forced to swap out BBC Breakfast outfits after leaving viewers with 'migraines and nightmares'
Ultimately, Nina took to X herself to share a clip of the divisive apostrophe segment to her 47,000 followers.
She captioned her post: “The end of civilisation.”
More viewers flocked to comment on the post, with one penning: "I would be the one with the black marker pen!"
Another added: “This is shocking! Language is important, and I worry that this may be the thin end of the wedge! People will be going round the streets with marker pens and adding them, though hopefully in the right places.”
BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am.
Who are the current presenters of BBC Breakfast?
The flagship BBC show has had dozens of presenters during its impressive 40 years on air but the current stars are:
Jon Kay - Since 2022
Sally Nugent - Since 2021
Charlie Stayt - Since 2006
Naga Munchetty - Since 2014
Carol Kirkwood - Since 1997
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