BBC Breakfast Host's ‘Frogs’ Remark Was Rather Unfortunately Timed

'Always annoying when those frogs appear.'

A BBC Breakfast host raised eyebrows on Thursday by making what some viewers interpreted as a subtle quip about “frogs” during a report about French President Emmanuel Macron’s UK visit.

Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt were speaking to Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, about the trip which saw Macron hosted by Theresa May at the British military academy in Sandhurst.

PA WIRE/PA IMAGES

May has pledged £44m to strengthen Britain’s border controls in France, with officials stating the cash injection will go towards fencing, CCTV and detection technology in Calais and other ports along the Channel.

As the segment with a hoarse-sounding Tugendhat came to an end, Stayt suggested he fetch himself a glass of water, with Munchetty concurring: “Always annoying when those frogs appear at the most inopportune times.”

Twitter user Stephen Carter described it as a “brilliantly awkward segue”, with The Mystery Man paying tribute to her “amazing joke”, adding “total respect to you Naga.

Helen Lusted tweeted: “Naga that has made my day,” while another Twitter user said: “Naga deftly sums up a piece on British/ French relations during BBC Breakfast this morning.”

After a long interview about the meeting with #Macron and #May a brilliantly awkward segue from @BBCNaga talking about unfortunate frogs...made me laugh anyway

— The Sanity Clause ❄ 🇮🇸 (@StephenCarter2) January 18, 2018

@BBCBreakfast "those frogs appear at the most inopportune times". Naga that has made my day

— Helen Lusted (@Helenzzzz) January 18, 2018

#frogs appear at the most opportune times lol @Naga Munchetty when discussing the Emmanuel Macron visit 🤣🤣🤣

— Carrie Alexander (@dynaminx) January 18, 2018

@BBCNaga @BBCBreakfast loving Naga”s response to the MP taking about President Macron’s visit, who had a nasty tickle “always annoying when a frog turns up”. Magic!

— Rob (@robpenryn) January 18, 2018

Naga deftly sums up a piece on British/French relations during @BBCBreakfast this morning! pic.twitter.com/PXpCQTJ79E

— Crossroads Motel (@crossroadssoap) January 18, 2018

‘Always annoying when those frogs appear’ said Naga @BBCBreakfast finishing off a conversation about Calais and Tapestry with A coughing minister. LOL you couldn’t make it up

— Phil Withers (@philhessle) January 18, 2018

However some viewers were left unimpressed by her comment, with Rushlufc asking: “Really, did Naga Munchetty just make a racist remark talking about frogs in throats after an item on French talks with the UK? Not good enough, BBC Breakfast.”

A BBC spokesman said: “Our guest appeared to be struggling with a croaky voice and Naga was simply referring to that.”

@BBCBreakfast thanks for the giggles. Just after an interview about a visit from the French president and the loan on the Bayeux Tapestry, Naga says "we don't like visits from those unexpected frogs."
I know she was referring to the interviewee having a cough but hahaha

— Dave Straw (@DaveDavestraw94) January 18, 2018

Really did Nager Munchetty just make a racist remark talking about frogs in throat after an item on French talks wit UK. Not good enough @BBCNews @BBCBreakfast pic.twitter.com/TFV6OS4KG2

— rushlufc (@rushlufc) January 18, 2018
Close

What's Hot