BBC newsreader Nick Owen dubbed a ‘legend’ by viewers after mispronouncing Jay Z’s name.

BBC news presenter Nick Owen has been dubbed a “legend” by Midlands Today viewers after mispronouncing Jay Z’s name during Friday’s episode.

The 75-year-old had been reading on a teleprompter about a father-son dance duet on TikTok when he was confused by the script, which included the rapper’s nickname.

After saying ‘Jay Zed’ instead of ‘Zee’, he returned after the segment to correct himself.

Nick assured the audience that he was “serious about the kids,” while making a questionable hand gesture.

It wasn’t long before podcaster Scott Bryan shared the footage on Twitter, writing: ‘OH MY GOD check out this report from Nick Owens in the Midlands Today. Stay until the end.

BBC Radio 1 star Katie Thistleton commented: “Ohhh, he must be protected at all costs!” while Blue Peter host Richie Driss chimed in: “I want to give him a hug.”

Other fans wrote, ‘@nickowentv is a Midlands news legend,’ as well as, ‘I should get a knighthood for this. I start the campaign today.

One final concluded: ‘This will stay in my head forever’.

Nick found fame in the 1980s on the TV-am breakfast show after beginning his career at regional newspapers.

He is famous for his cringe-worthy puns and is believed to have been the inspiration for Steve Coogan’s parody chat show host Alan Partridge.

He co-presented Good Morning Britain with Anne Diamond from 1983 to 1986 and re-teamed with her in 1992 to present Good Morning with Anne and Nick on BBC One.

The show was originally a hit, but was canceled in 1996 due to poor ratings.