A BBC newsreader who refused to say "pregnant people" live on air has spoken out after the footage went viral.
Veteran broadcaster Martine Croxall, who’s been with the BBC since 1991, was delivering a segment on Saturday about who’s most vulnerable during Britain’s current heatwave when she spotted something she clearly didn’t agree with on the teleprompter.
As she read from research by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the script advised that “pregnant people” were among those needing to take extra care in the sweltering heat.
Croxall, clearly taking a dislike to this wording, changed the phrase live on air.
“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,” she said, inserting “women” in place of the original language and finishing with an eye roll.
Clips of the newscast were soon making the rounds online, racking up thousands of views and sparking a wave of support from people who appreciated Croxall’s off-script correction.
The viral moment prompted Croxall to break her silence on Sunday evening. She took to X with a composed message, thanking her new followers and sharing a photo from the broadcast.
“A huge thank you to everyone who has chosen to follow me today for whatever reason,” she wrote. “It’s been quite a ride…”
Croxall also took the time to personally respond to some well-wishers, including one who hoped she wouldn’t face any backlash from BBC higher-ups.
"Braced," she replied.
In the midst of the online buzz, questions began to surface about whether the viral footage was even real.
But Croxall set the record straight once and for all — the clip was authentic and definitely not AI-generated.
One very high-profile supporter was Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who didn’t hesitate to show her approval.
“I have a new favorite BBC presenter,” Rowling posted on X.
Rowling is known for being outspoken when it comes to transgender issues, which has resulted in backlash in the past.
In a viral clip, activist Tariq Ra’ouf attached a picture of Rowling, 59, on her superyacht, smoking a cigar, alongside the caption: “I love it when a plan comes together," after five judges ruled unanimously that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act refer to a biological woman and biological sex last week.
The activist called the ruling and Rowling’s celebratory reaction “awful and disgusting,” and urged a full cultural boycott of Harry Potter projects.
“Don’t watch the show. Don’t go to Universal... It’s time to tell these corporations that transphobia loses money," he said.
“It has become our mission as the general public to make sure that every single thing that's Harry Potter related fails... because that awful disgusting s***, that has consequences,” he added.
Pedro Pascal, whose sister Lux came out as transgender in 2021, not only liked the video but responded with a scathing comment of his own: “Awful disgusting S**T is exactly right. Heinous LOSER behavior.”