BBC Breakfast's Charlie Stayt forced to apologise after technical mishap

BBC Breakfast’s Charlie Stayt apologised several times after an issue caused problems during a sports segment.

Presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty moved onto the topic of parents’ “unruly” behaviour on the touchline while watching their children play football with new measures being introduced in Lincolnshire.

The pair were joined by sports journalist Mike Bushell who had personal experience since volunteering as a referee for his step-son’s games, as well as sports psychologist Zach Hickmore.

Speaking to Mike, Naga said: “I’m really interested in how it makes you feel, because you was saying you don’t run the line as you call it.”

“I try not to volunteer anymore no”, he commented before Naga began introducing David Denham via a live link who’s acted as a referee for 40 years.

But going by Naga’s initial comment, it is thought that the channel was struggling to speak to David thanks to a technical issue.

She said: “David, good morning to you. Hi David, we’ve been having a conversation and been trying to get your line established but we’ve been having a conversation here, just a kind of final thought from you really.

“How does it make you feel when you volunteer at grassroots level, to referee a match and get the abuse you’re getting, what do the kids say to you when the parents are going a bit ballistic?”

David began to talk but his voice was distorted and it sounded as if he was repeating himself: “It’s very difficult, because I’ve been doing it for such a long time.

“I don’t tend to get too much but a lot of young referees are getting that and it is demoralising…”

David’s voice was quietened as Naga exclaimed: Naga “Oh apologies!”

Charlie stepped in to say: “I’ll tell you what, I’m so sorry David, I’m going to have to stop you there, my apologies.

“It’s all our problems here, we’ve got a fold back thing going, basically we can’t hear a word of what the referee is saying which is not good.

“My apologies. It happens sometimes.”

Bringing the conversation back to the topic at hand, Naga commented: “He’s still smiling though and I think that’s the trick of referees, just being able to calm the situation down.”

Charlie then added: “Not easy when you’ve got people in your face, is it?”

BBC Breakfast is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.