The BBC has apologised after a D-Day broadcast was interrupted by an offensive comment. Broadcaster Kirsty Young anchored the special programme, BBC D-Day 80: Tribute to the Fallen, honouring the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. But as the programme got underway, Young introduced a military band for viewers at home while also explaining there was assistance for those with visual impairments.
But as the programme, live from Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bayeaux, France started, the cameras soon cut to a clip of a military band performing. But off camera, an unknown man could be heard saying: "French a*******s." After being criticised on social media, the Beebs have now apologised.
In a statement shared with the Mirror , they said: "We sincerely apologise for an inappropriate comment that was captured during live coverage of the D-Day at 80 events in Bayeux. The programme is being edited and is temporarily unavailable on BBC iPlayer ." At the time of the vile comment, Kirsty was joined by Anthea Goldsmith, the daughter of D-Day hero Theodore Iondies, as well as historian James Holland who also looked shocked by the comment.
The clip which has been widely circulated on social media by TV critic Scott Bryan was met with a negative response. Bryan penned: "Not sure what exactly happened here during the BBC's D-Day coverage. Yep.
You heard that right." One X, formerly known as a Twitter user penned: "I thought I misheard that." Meanwhile a third commented: .
