‘That’s on my TOE!’: Moment BBC reporter’s four-year-old daughter interrupts Radio 4 Today show when her mother accidently steps on her foot during live broadcast
- Anna Holligan began report before Zena stopped her to say: ‘That’s on my toe’
- She apologised, saying that she ‘stepped on my daughter’s toe, I’m so sorry’
- Then at end of her report Nick Robinson asked if Zena wanted to comment
- But mother said Zena had a ‘mouth full of advent calendar at the moment’
A BBC reporter was interrupted live on air by her four-year-old daughter this morning after accidentally stepping on her foot during Radio 4’s Today programme.
Anna Holligan, who is based in The Hague, began a report on coronavirus restrictions around Europe before Zena stopped her to say: ‘That’s on my toe.’
But Mrs Holligan was undeterred, apologising to Zena – saying that she ‘stepped on my daughter’s toe, I’m so sorry’ – then continuing with her report this morning.
BBC reporter Anna Holligan was interrupted live on air by her four-year-old daughter Zena
Towards the end of her report, Zena could be heard talking in the background and presenter Nick Robinson asked Mrs Holligan if her daughter wanted to comment.
Mrs Holligan said: ‘She’s playing the piano now actually. Would you like to have a word? Zena, Nick would like to know how you’re feeling about this, about the Christmas crackdown?’
But Zena replied with a series of mumbles, saying ‘mmm’, before Mrs Holligan told the programme: ‘She has a mouth full of advent calendar at the moment.’
And Mr Robinson replied: ‘Well I think that counts as an endorsement. Anna Holligan and daughter from The Hague, live, thank you very much indeed.’
Mrs Holligan later tweeted about Zena who had earlier stopped her to say: ‘That’s on my toe’
His fellow studio presenter Martha Kearney added: ‘I think that’s how we’re all feeling at the moment, isn’t it, those grunts.’
Mrs Holligan later took to Twitter to say: ‘At least she was polite enough not to speak with her mouth full, even when it’s Nick Robinson posing the question.’
And Mrs Holligan tweeted soon after: ‘I’d just like to reassure all BBC Radio 4 Today listeners, Zena’s sweet little toes are all entirely intact #badmum.’
Earlier, it appeared she was prepared for something to go wrong, having tweeted a picture of her with Zena saying: ‘Poised to go live on BBC World – wish us luck.’
Earlier, it appeared Mrs Holligan was prepared for something to go wrong, having tweeted a picture of her with Zena saying: ‘Poised to go live on BBC World – wish us luck’
Mr Robinson later tweeted: ‘It shouldn’t happen to a reporter part 172 : ‘When you step on your daughter’s toes whilst appearing live on the Today programme”
She was also praised by other BBC colleagues, including Emily Unia, who tweeted: ‘Love this so much – smooth and seamless from Anna Holligan.’
BBC World News presenter and mother-of-three Karin Giannone said: ‘A delightful radio moment – impressed by how Anna Holligan embraced the interruption.’
Rory Cellan-Jones added: ‘What a pro Anna Holligan is – carrying on broadcasting on BBC Radio 4 Today after daughter loudly protests ‘you stepped on my toe’!’