Dan Walker pokes fun at BBC Breakfast sexism row as 'sofa gate' sparks online frenzy
DAN WALKER took to Twitter this morning to poke fun at recent reports suggesting Louise Minchin had "complained to producers" over her not getting to sit in Bill Turnbull's position on the BBC Breakfast sofa.
Dan Walker has replaced Bill Turnbull on BBC Breakfast
Despite being younger than Louise and having significantly less broadcasting experience, Dan automatically got to replace Bill, who said farewell to the morning show after 15 years last month.
After viewers complained about Dan's position on the famous sofa, the presenter then took to Twitter to post a light-hearted message on the matter.
Sharing a snap of Louise sat with Sally Nugent, with Steph McGovern seen in the distance, Dan wrote: "Forget about left & right Steph's miles away!"
The Telegraph had previously stated that Louise had told producers that she should hold the "camera left" slot.
Forget about left & right Steph's miles away! ?????? pic.twitter.com/dAD5tlE3xm
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) 16 March 2016
Dan now presents BBC Breakfast with Louise Minchin
Dan Walker talks about Bill Turnball on BBC Breakfast
However, bosses allegedly told her that the alternative positioning “doesn’t work”, and have insisted that the female presenter must remain on the right.
Viewers also had their say on the whole thing, with Adele Clarke moaning to Radio Times: “I was annoyed to see ‘new boy’ Dan Walker seated on the left, in Bill Turnbull’s own place, while far more experienced news presenter Louise Minchin remained in the ‘number two’ position on the right.
“How long will it take the BBC (and most other news stations) to catch up with the rest of us in the 21st century? Be brave – try seating a woman on the left and see how the world will keep turning.”
Despite this though, one person shared: "Story about who sits where on the @BBCBreakfast sofa. Seriously? That's a thing? And people have opinions on it?? Really?!"
Bill Turnbull left BBC Breakfast last month
See, just doesn't work having female TV presenters camera left. Looks weird. #sofagate pic.twitter.com/cmkpwfV8TG
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) 16 March 2016
While another person joked: "@BBCBreakfast Separate sofa's yet?"
Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan also took to Twitter to prove that it "would look weird" if the man were to sit on the right.
Posing alongside co-presenter Susanna Reid, Piers wrote: "See, just doesn't work having female TV presenters camera left. Looks weird. #sofagate"
The sexism row comes after former Breakfast host, Sian Williams, complained earlier this year that the broadcaster had not done enough to keep older women in front of the camera.
She said: “The BBC did a survey ten years ago, and its audience told it we need more normal looking older women on telly. Ten years later, we’ve got three women over fifty reading the news. Is that enough? I don’t think so.”
A BBC spokesman has since insisted: “There is no seniority in terms of who sits where on the BBC Breakfast sofa. It’s all about judging which is the best camera angle for the presenters.”