On the morning of November 18, 2025, viewers tuned in as usual to BBC Breakfast, expecting the familiar blend of headlines, interviews, and light banter from hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent. But what they got was a little more entertainment than expected—courtesy of a live on-air slip-up by BBC Morning Live presenter Gethin Jones, which quickly became the talk of the morning.
The show’s regular schedule sees BBC Breakfast hand over to BBC Morning Live, a transition that’s become a staple for early risers across the UK. As the clock ticked closer to the end of Breakfast, Sally Nugent addressed the audience: “Now Morning Live follows Breakfast on BBC One this morning. Let's find out what they have for us this morning, it's Gethin and Kim. Morning.” The camera then cut to the Morning Live studio, where Gethin Jones and his co-host Kym Marsh sat comfortably on their studio sofas, ready to preview the day’s content (as reported by Wales Online and the Daily Star).
Gethin, ever the professional, jumped straight into the preview. But as he and Kym discussed an upcoming segment—a story about a children’s book that, thanks to a single tiny typo, sold for an astonishing £350,000—things took an unexpected turn. Kym explained to viewers, “Now look at this, This might seem like an ordinary book but one tiny typo meant that it sold for £350k.” She continued, “Bargain Hunt’s Kate Bliss has the trade secrets to help you cash in on treasures you might not even know you might have.”
It was then that Gethin made his now-famous autocue blunder. As he wrapped up the preview, he said, “We will see you at 10:30.” Almost immediately, he realized his mistake. With a quick gesture of his hands and a good-natured shout, he corrected himself: “It’s a typo, a typo. It’s 9:30.” The correction sparked laughter across both studios, breaking the usual morning routine with a burst of unscripted humor.
Back on the BBC Breakfast set, Sally Nugent couldn’t resist a gentle tease: “You weren’t just reading the words, were you? Come on.” Gethin, not missing a beat, joked, “What do you mean words? This show isn’t scripted.” Jon Kay joined in on the fun, quipping, “We thought ‘oh no we have to do another hour’. We will see you at 9:30, don’t be late Kym and Geth.” The exchange underscored the camaraderie and spontaneity that have made both programs a favorite among viewers.
While the humorous incident was the highlight of the morning for many, there was also a more somber and heartfelt moment during the same broadcast. Strictly Come Dancing’s Shirley Ballas joined Jon and Sally on the BBC Breakfast sofa to discuss a deeply personal topic: her mother’s battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Shirley’s mother, Audrey Rich, 88, was diagnosed with the illness in 2022, and Shirley has been her primary caregiver ever since.
In a candid and emotional conversation, Shirley opened up about the reality of living with and caring for someone with COPD. “This isn’t something you can see so with my mum I've witnessed her choking, I’ve been out with her when she is out of breath and of course she lives with me,” Shirley shared. She went on, “It's quite sad, it's debilitating and of course it’s never going to get any better so it's about finding a way to help her care for that and of course keeping her safe from any of the flus going around.”
Her words resonated with viewers and highlighted the often unseen struggles families face when dealing with chronic illnesses. Shirley’s openness offered a rare glimpse into the day-to-day realities of caregiving, a topic that’s become increasingly important as the UK’s population ages and more families find themselves in similar situations.
The morning’s dual narrative—one of spontaneous humor, the other of heartfelt honesty—captured the essence of live television. It’s these moments, both big and small, that keep audiences coming back. The autocue blunder, while minor, reminded everyone that even seasoned presenters are human and that live TV is, by its very nature, unpredictable. Gethin’s quick recovery and the laughter that followed were a testament to the easy rapport among the BBC’s morning teams, as well as their ability to handle the unexpected with grace (and a bit of cheeky wit).
Meanwhile, Shirley Ballas’s appearance offered a counterpoint, grounding the morning’s levity with a dose of real life. Her willingness to speak openly about her mother’s illness not only raised awareness about COPD but also underscored the importance of empathy and support for caregivers everywhere. According to the NHS, COPD is a progressive lung disease that causes breathing difficulties, and while there is no cure, proper care and prevention of complications—like flu—can significantly improve quality of life for those affected.
It’s also worth noting that BBC Morning Live, which airs weekdays from 9:30am on BBC One and iPlayer, has carved out a unique niche for itself by blending practical advice with human-interest stories. Segments like the one about the valuable children’s book—complete with expert tips from Bargain Hunt’s Kate Bliss—have become a staple, offering viewers not just entertainment but also useful information they can apply in their own lives. Who hasn’t wondered if something gathering dust on their bookshelf might just be a hidden treasure?
For Gethin Jones and Kym Marsh, the November 18 broadcast will no doubt be remembered as one of those mornings where everything didn’t go exactly to plan—and that’s precisely what made it so memorable. Their ability to laugh at themselves, and to bring viewers along for the ride, is part of what has solidified their place in the hearts of the British public.
As the credits rolled and viewers prepared to get on with their day, the message was clear: whether it’s a slip of the tongue or a story of strength in the face of illness, live television remains a reflection of real life—messy, funny, touching, and, above all, human.
