Rita Ora suffers awkward moment on BBC Breakfast as she says ‘thanks Huw’ during interview – amid presenter’s ‘£35K sex pics scandal’
Rita Ora suffered an awkward moment on Saturday’s BBC Breakfast as she accidentally said ‘thanks Huw’ instead of ‘thank you’ during an interview.
The singer, 32, appeared on the morning chat show to promote her latest album You & I and made an awkward blunder while chatting to Charlie Stayt.
The hitmaker accidentally said the name of presenter Huw Edwards, who was revealed as the broadcaster accused of paying £35,000 to a ‘vulnerable’ teenager in return for explicit photographs.
During the interview, Charlie said: ‘You’re here doing publicity, this is the world you live in and at the same time you clearly guard your privacy.’
Rita then replied: ‘Yeah, thanks Huw.’ Realising what she said, she added: ‘Thanks Huw? Thank you, for noticing that.’
Slip up: Rita Ora suffered an awkward moment on Saturday’s BBC Breakfast as she accidentally said ‘thanks Huw’ instead of ‘thank you’ during an interview
Awkward: Rita accidentally said the name of presenter Huw Edwards , who was revealed as the presenter accused of paying £35,000 to a ‘vulnerable’ teenager in return for explicit photographs
Gaffe: The singer, 32, appeared on the morning chat show to promote her latest album You & I and made an awkward blunder while chatting to Charlie Stayt
The gaffe quickly sparked commentary on social media as viewers reacted to the awkward moment.
One viewer said: ‘Not Rita Ora saying ‘thanks Huw’ on BBC Breakfast FFS’, while another added: ‘Who keeps rewinding the Rita Ora interview? @BBCBreakfast’.
A third viewer wrote: ‘Rita Ora saying ‘thanks Huw’ then quickly changes it to ‘thank you’ made me laugh’.
A fourth said: ‘Soooo Rita Ora says thanks to Charlie by saying ‘thanks Huw’ hilarious @BBCBreakfast’.
Charlie did not react to Rita’s gaffe and the interview carried on with discussion of her album and marriage to filmmaker Taika Waititi.
Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind broke the news of his behaviour in a statement where she also said her husband had been taken to hospital as the controversy had a ‘serious’ effect on his wellbeing.
She added that the 61-year-old is suffering from ‘serious mental health issues’ and ‘he has been treated for severe depression in recent years’.
Mr Edwards faces an internal investigation as BBC News, Radio 4 and Newsnight reporters uncovered more claims about his behaviour, alleging ‘inappropriate behaviour towards BBC employees past and present’.
Reaction: The gaffe quickly sparked commentary on social media a viewers reacted to the awkward moment
Looking good: Rita donned a black cropped blazer and matching trousers for the interview
Looking good: After her BBC interview, Rita was seen leaving The Lowry Hotel in a dark green tracksuit
Flawless: The singer also wore a pair of sunglasses and styled her locks into loose curls
One colleague told the national broadcaster that he was sending flirtatious messages that made them ‘shudder’ and constituted an ‘abuse of power’.
The corporation faces serious questions about how much it knew about claims that the broadcaster was sending flirtatious messages to junior staff and young people outside the organisation.
They have also been accused of being ‘too slow’ to react, having taken seven weeks to confront him with claims he paid £35,000 to a teenage drug addict for sexually explicit photographs.
The Director General Tim Davie said he was not told until last week – and has not spoken to Mr Edwards, one of his highest paid stars.
There is also open warfare at the BBC after Jeremy Vine urged him to reveal himself to save others being wrongly accused on social media and limit the damage to the BBC.
There has been growing speculation that Edwards will never return to the BBC – although he has not resigned – as the corporation started up its investigation into the news anchor after police said he had committed no crimes.
Suspended: Huw Edwards was last seen on the screen on July 5 when he covered King Charles’ visit to Scotland, he was taken off air on July 6 and then suspended days later
Allegations: The BBC anchor was named by his wife Vicky Flind as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images
Since The Sun broke the story, BBC News and Newsnight journalists have uncovered at least six past and present staff who have complained about his behaviour.
PR guru Mark Borkowski told MailOnline: ‘It’s a total mess. One hopes the BBC have done the right thing if not their defence will be shaky and heads will roll. I hope they have learnt from Saville and of course Cliff Richard’.
The Met Police confirmed on Wednesday it was no longer investigating the allegations against the seasoned BBC anchor as a ‘criminal offence’, shortly before Flind revealed his identity.
A statement from the force said: ‘Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed.’
The Met’s statement regarding the allegations said a number of parties had been spoken to, including the BBC, the alleged complainant and their family ‘via another police force’ and concluded there would be no further police action.
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