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BBC Studio Pundit Jokes About Former Presenter During World Cup Broadcast
A BBC studio guest made a lighthearted reference to a former colleague during the opening minutes of the network's first World Cup match. The moment came as the broadcaster continues its UK-based coverage of the tournament.
Jun 13, 5:43 AM·1m read2 sources
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A BBC studio guest made a playful reference to the network's former presenter during the first eight minutes of its opening World Cup broadcast. The comment came while the panel discussed the large screen behind them that displayed New York. The guest said the image allowed viewers to see the former presenter from the studio.
The remark drew laughter from the other panelists.
One host replied that the two shared the same initials but were different people. The former presenter left the BBC in May 2025 after a social media post. The current host has taken over World Cup presenting duties.
The guest is splitting time between the BBC's UK studio and a podcast based in Manhattan. He travels to the United States every few days during the tournament. The host had earlier noted the guest's New York visits and said the studio screen brought the city to viewers without travel. The BBC has faced criticism for staying at its Salford base rather than sending a team to the United States.
The former presenter said he was surprised by the decision and that the tournament justified a presence on site. He added that shows produced without traveling can feel soulless even when the set is designed to look like another location. The guest will also appear with the former presenter on a Netflix show during the tournament.
