BBC Breakfast caused an unexpected stir last weekend.
Regular presenter Naga Munchetty, 48, was joined by Charlie Stayt, 61, before a major change to the show was announced on Saturday morning.
The Streatham-born presenter finished the program earlier than usual as the broadcast was instead taken by Saturday Kitchen with Matt Tebutt.
The morning show usually ends at 10am, meaning viewers have missed 45 minutes of news, including the typical banter between Naga and the TV chef, 49.
Saturday Kitchen informed viewers of the sudden change via their X/Twitter account: “Set your alarm! We’ll be there tomorrow at 9:15am and we’ll have a packed show!
Unexpected: BBC Breakfast was hit by a surprise schedule change on Saturday as it ended early to make way for coverage of the Lord Mayor’s Show
Shake-up: The Streatham-born presenter finished the program earlier than usual, followed by Saturday Kitchen
@matt_tebutt is in the studio with @chefvivieksingh, @AnatoleAlexina, @auldhag, @jollyollyn and special guest Ashley Jensen! #SaturdayKitchen live on @bbcone at 9.15am!’
The scheduling change was made to accommodate the broadcast of the Lord Mayor’s Show, which took place in London later that day.
The BBC Breakfast furor comes after viewers of the morning show admitted they cringed over a ‘car crash’ interview with guest Geri Horner last month.
Fans of the star criticized presenters Charlie and Naga for their ‘awkward’ questions when the Spice Girl appeared to discuss her new book.
Naga asked Geri if she had done any “research” on them before the interview, while Charlie accused her of “pointing fingers” a lot during the chat.
During the conversation, Naga said, “You know what, you are very interesting as an interviewee. You came in to make sure you researched us too, didn’t you?’
Geri insisted this was the “polite thing to do,” before Charlie intervened, saying: “Also, you’re pointing fingers quite a lot, to be honest.”
Shocked, she replied, “Is that rude?! I’m so sorry, Charlie.’
Bottom line: The morning show usually ends at 10 a.m., which means viewers missed 45 minutes of news reading, including the typical banter between Naga and the TV chef
‘Set your alarm!’: Saturday Kitchen informed viewers of the sudden change via their X/Twitter account
Uncomfortable! BBC Breakfast viewers admitted they cringed after ‘car crash’ interview with guest Geri Horner earlier last month
Incisive: Fans of the star slammed presenters Charlie and Naga for their ‘awkward’ questions as the Spice Girl appeared to discuss her new book
Quizzes: Naga asked Geri if she had ‘researched’ them before the interview, while Charlie often accused her of ‘finger pointing’ during the chat
Naga then said bluntly, “You don’t like being interviewed?”
However, Geri insisted she “didn’t mind” being interviewed as she enjoys the communication.
In another awkward moment, Geri talked about how she does the writing for her novel in a shed in her garden because it helps her concentrate.
However, Charlie said skeptically, “I bet it’s not a shed, right? When you say barn, I think of a warehouse or a luxury room.’
Geri replied: ‘I hear cynicism, no, it’s a shed in the garden.’
Viewers took to Twitter to react to the cringe-inducing altercation, accusing the presenters of having ‘antagonistic undertones’.
One person said: ‘Why is this interview with Geri on BBC Breakfast so awkward? Geri is a delight, but both interviewers seem to have a slightly antagonistic undertone, it’s so weird!’
Response: However, Geri insisted that she “didn’t mind” being interviewed because she enjoys the communication
Another opinion was from Charlie’s side, saying: ‘@BBCBreakfast what’s going on with Geri and Charlie? So condescending and arrogant towards him.’
A third commented: ‘Disappointing to hear that Geri is asked more about her husband than her writing. Very naughty Charlie!’
Another added: ‘It would have been great to hear Geri talk without being constantly interrupted and condescended to.’
Another person wrote: ‘I cringed watching the interview.’
Another said: ‘Another car crash interview with Munchetti and Stayt…’
Others noticed that Geri “didn’t look like she was enjoying the interview at all.”