BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker has apologised to a female professor after she was not given her title while her male colleague was on Wednesday morning.
In scenes aired on BBC One, reporter Tim Muffett interviewed people who experienced a loss of taste and smell after testing positive for coronavirus.
During the chat, Tim spoke to Tim spoke to Professor Claire Hopkins but when she was introduced she was not referred to as a professor.
Also, when she appeared on the screen her description failed to clarify she was a professor and simply stated ‘Claire Hopkins, Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon’.
After Tim’s report, Dan and co-host Louise Minchin spoke to Chrissi Kelly from the organisation AbScent and consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon Professor Nirmal Kumar via video link from the studio.
Revealing that is was no the first time that the surgeon has experienced the blunder, Professor Claire Hopkins replied: “Thanks for the apology. Same thing happened when you introduced me during a live interview last year too, when you spoke with ‘Claire and Professor Semple’…. when coming on to give an expert opinion, titles matter.
“Everywhere else, I’d be delighted if called me Claire.”
When approached by the Mirror for comment a BBC Spokesperson said: “We have contacted Professor Hopkins and explained it was human error.”
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Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/bbc-breakfasts-dan-walker-apologises-23475473