BBC news anchor thanks people for support after she refused to use television prompt during live broadcast
BBC News presenter Martine Croxall has thanked viewers for their support after she went off script during a live broadcast.
The journalist, 56, seemed to disagree with a portion of the words listed on the teleprompter during her hosting segment on Saturday (21 June), and so, she decided to deviate from pre-prepared dialogue.
Footage of the moment Croxall - who has worked at the UK broadcaster for more than 30 years after joining the BBC in 1991 - started to ad-lib live on air has since gone viral online.
During the broadcast, she was reciting from the autocue while discussing what groups of people were most at risk from heat-related illnesses amid the soaring temperatures in the UK.
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While referring to research conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical, Croxall began to say that 'pregnant people' should be extra wary when enjoying the weather.
But after uttering the words, the mother-of-two, from Leicestershire, quickly corrected herself to instead say 'women', before punctuating her point with her eyes.
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"Malcom Mistry, who was involved in the research, says that the aged, pregnant people - women - and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions," Croxall said.
Her language has sparked quite a lot of debate on social media, and famously anti-trans spokesperson JK Rowling was among those to throw their support behind the BBC News anchor.
"I have a new favourite BBC presenter," the Harry Potter author wrote in a post on X.
The term 'pregnant people' is intentionally gender-neutral, and has been increasingly used in public discourse to ensure inclusivity for non-binary and transgender individuals. However, anti-trans organisations and individuals have notably been quite vocal about their disapproval on this.
Croxall has been vocal in the past of her opinion that 'sex is binary and immutable' during a debate with a trans activist following the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of a woman.
Following the flurry of conversation regarding her going off script, Croxall, who has previously appeared on Celebrity Mastermind, also took to social media to share her thoughts.
She wrote: "A huge thank you to everyone who has chosen to follow me today for whatever reason. It’s been quite a ride…"
One social media user responded to the footage of the TV star saying: "Love her face when she makes the correction. Good job."
A second wrote: "Good on @BBC presenter. If BBC are going to call women ‘pregnant people’ why not call men ‘sperm carriers’ - see how they like it. Women are PERSONS. We are not defined by our reproductive functions."
Croxall also said she was 'braced' for a chat with her bosses, should they raise an issue with her.
However, using inclusive language such as the term 'pregnant people' is not necessarily only referring to trans individuals who identify as male but are still able to get pregnant.
As previously explained, the phrase 'pregnant people' is used to be inclusive of transgender men and non-binary individuals who can also become pregnant, while acknowledging that cisgender women are also included in that category. This shift in language aims to be more inclusive in healthcare settings, particularly in discussions about pregnancy, fertility, and abortion.
As one social media user pointed out: "Pregnant people are not the same as women. Pregnant people is more specific. Not all women are pregnant."
The BBC told LADBible: "As briefing - The phrase 'pregnant people' was the phrasing used in the original report rather than something the BBC had written.
"The BBC has no policy on using this wording."
Olivia Burke