It looked as though BBC Breakfast viewers were less than impressed on Friday morning as presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt interviewed Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
The duo was speaking to the MP about the upcoming election and his party overtaking the Conservatives in YouGovs new opinion poll. However, his interview sparked outrage with many people watching as some resulted in turning the broadcast over.
Taking to Twitter, @jennorwood commented: “Oh God, Farage on BBC Breakfast, I just can’t..had to change the channel. Cannot stomach him.” @KarmaUnc wrote: “Just muted #BBCBreakfast on the TV.”
@DameV17 reeled: “Not Farage again on BBC TV!! Shocking sight on BBC Breakfast. TV off.” @miowrama said: “That’s @BBCBreakfast switched off the next 10 mins. Good luck @TVNaga01, hope you can keep it together whilst “that man” is on the sofa.”
@LufcSharon fumed: “@BBCBreakfast Switched off, cannot deal with listening to #farage & his bile.” Although it seems as though not everyone shared the same opinion some viewers were thrilled to see Farage on the show.
@OfSelina commented: “Nigel Farage on #BBCBreakfast? It’s about time the BBC gave Nige some airtime. He really hasn’t had much this Election from our National Broadcaster.”
With another BBC viewer adding: “Nigel Farage on #bbcbreakfast is making a lot of sense tbh.”
During their chat, things got slightly heated between Farage and Styat as he questioned him about Reform UK’s manifesto, which the MP refers to as a contract.
Farage said: “I’m going to launch, by the way, I won’t call it a manifesto because the word associated with the manifesto is lie, I’m going to launch our contract on Monday where I’ll lay out all of the costings of our plans.
“All I can tell you is that what we’re doing is bold and imaginative.”
However, Styat was quick to call out the MP as he touched on the frontpage of Reform’s website.
Highlighting that it reads the party will set out their reform in the first 100 days, along with the party getting advice from independent economists, thinktanks and advisors.
The BBC host quipped: “A moment ago you said you’re not about conformity, that just sounds like everybody else.
“Every other political party would say, ‘We’ve talked to independent advisors, we talked to thinktank’. You sound like everyone else!”
Farage joked that he’s been called many things over the years, but being like everyone else isn’t one of them.
He added: “No, absolutely not. I’ve just outlined some very radical proposals, equally, we don’t think anybody would pay inheritance tax until the estate is worth £2 million.
“We want to lift the VAT threshold to help small businesses. I promise you, what’s coming on Monday is very, very different.”