BBC Breakfast team forced off air as studio evacuated

A BBC Breakfast team were forced off air as their studio was evacuated on Wednesday (December 17).

During today's edition of the hit morning programme, hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay updated viewers on the latest news from across the UK and around the world.

They were joined in the studio by Carol Kirkwood, who delivered regular weather updates, while Emma Vardy and Olly Foster shared the economic and sports news, respectively.

Sally and Jon discussed a number of topical stories on today's programme, including the devastating Bondi Beach shooting, and the Post Office Horizon Scandal. They also announced the death of renowned US actor Gil Gerard.

Later in the show, the hosts handed over to local news teams across the UK, but the South East team weren't able to broadcast their headlines.

Instead, South East locals were shown the London news, with reporter Thomas Magill explaining: "A very good morning, welcome to BBC London and our viewers in the South East, where the news team there have been evacuated due to a fire alarm."

Thomas shared the same statement throughout today's BBC Breakfast, but it seems the issue had been resolved by the end of the broadcast as his final headline report didn't mention the South East team. No further updates have been shared.

A BBC spokesperson told The Daily Express: "As mentioned in the broadcast, our team in Tunbridge Wells were evacuated briefly this morning which meant our audiences in the South East received our London breakfast bulletin and Radio Surrey took Radio Kent output. Everyone is safe and well, and normal output has resumed."

This comes just weeks after BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast was taken off air when fire crews tackled an early morning blaze at BBC Scotland's headquarters in Glasgow. During the incident, the BBC broadcast switched to pre-recorded music and breakfast television news bulletins from Scotland were suspended.

Elsewhere on today's BBC Breakfast, Sally and Jon discussed Sir Chris Hoy's terminal cancer diagnosis. The six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist announced in February 2024 that he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

In October 2024, the 49-year-old confirmed his diagnosis was terminal after the primary cancer spread to his bones, with doctors giving him between two and four years to live.

As part of a new BBC documentary, Sally interviewed several sporting legends, who have opened up about hearing the news of Chris's diagnosis. During the pre-recorded clip, tennis great Sir Andy Murray became emotional as he spoke about Chris. "I was really upset by it. It's obviously cruel because he's a young guy, he has a young family," he said.

"He's obviously dedicated pretty much his whole life to being healthy, fit and active. For the next few days, every moment where I had a break, I was thinking about him and his situation a lot."

Dame Laura Kenny also became emotional as she said: "You're just shocked aren't you, because Chris is a superhero in my mind... My heart broke."

BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am

If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, visit Macmillan Cancer Support or Stand Up to Cancer