Martine Croxall breaks silence as BBC News presenter issues first update after ‘pregnant people’ correction live on air
BBC newsreader Martine Croxall has taken to social media to share her first statement since she garnered widespread attention for correcting the term “pregnant people” to “women” during a live broadcast about heat-related health risks.
The 56-year-old presenter was reporting on research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine that warned of nearly 600 expected heat-related deaths.
Reading from the autocue, Croxall said: “Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, said the aged, pregnant people – women – and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions.”
The correction was accompanied by what viewers described as an eye roll and smile, making her objection to the terminology unmistakably clear.
The Harry Potter author JK Rowling quickly praised the presenter on social media, declaring: “I have a new favourite BBC presenter.”
Rowling shared a video clip from SEEN in Journalism, which had posted: “Good to see accuracy on BBC News.”
The incident drew widespread support across social media platforms. One X user wrote: “BBC News presenter Martine Croxall refuses to say ‘pregnant people’ as she corrects the teleprompter live on air and says ‘WOMEN’ whilst rolling her eyes at what she was reading. At least there’s one BBC news presenter that has common sense. Well done Martine.”
Another supporter commented: “Martine Croxall! She’s long been a favourite in our household for her slightly bemused delivery.” (sic)
Croxall decided to address the fallout from the correction via X on Sunday evening, delivering a rather tongue-in-cheek update following the media attention.
The BBC News star shared a screenshot of herself during the segment in which she made the correction.
Writing to her 66.3k followers, Croxall penned: “A huge thank you to everyone who has chosen to follow me today for whatever reason.
“It’s been quite a ride…” the newsreader signed off, prompting floods of congratulatory messages from her newfound followers.
Croxall also took the time to reply to a handful of followers who’d reached out to her throughout the day, including one who said they hoped she wouldn’t be “hauled” in front of BBC bosses and read the riot act.
“Braced x,” Croxall nonchalantly replied, clearly unfazed by whatever repercussions may come her way.
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She also clarified that the clip of her correcting “pregnant people” to “women” wasn’t AI when one X user had questioned the authenticity.
Croxall has been working with the BBC for over 30 years, beginning at the corporation in 1991.
A decade later, in 2001, she joined the BBC News team and has fronted a wide range of programming such as World News Today, BBC Weekend News, Dateline London, and BBC News at One.
Her time at the corporation hasn’t been without its controversy prior to the “pregnant people” correction, with Croxall memorably being taken off air for 11 days back in 2022.
Croxall felt the wrath of bosses after admitting to being “gleeful” that Boris Johnson had withdrawn from the Conservative leadership race.
Her remarks were deemed to have breached the BBC’s impartiality rules.