BBC fans fume 'how much is this costing the licence payer' as they issue complaint

sparked backlash among viewers on Monday after Jon Kay was absent from the studio. Instead, the presenter was in the US reporting on the latest election.

At the beginning of the programme, Sally Nugent and Ben Thompson greeted viewers from the red sofa before passing over to Jon via video link.

"Good morning, and welcome to Breakfast with Ben Thompson and Sally Nugent," Sally began.

"Good morning," Ben continued before turning his attention to Monday's main news headlines. The cameras then quickly cut to Jon, who was presenting live in Washington.

He said: "Good morning from Washington. We are here this week as this extraordinary race heads to a conclusion."

He added: "Whoever wins, history is going to be made."

However, fans were left fuming by the decision for Jon to be sent over to America to report. Taking to X to comment about the move, one fan fumed: "We need sofa presenter Jon Kay in Washington because..." (sic)

Another agreed: "@BBCBreakfast and @jonkay01 What is the point of having Jon Kay in USA, sure you could have used one of your many current US correspondents who probably have more insight and obviously cost far less."

A third went on: "So you are sending a reporter at great expense when you probably already have one over there."

"How much is this costing the license payers?" someone else asked while another echoed: "Hey it's not a travelogue!. You shouldn't be there at licence payers expense."

"Licence fee money spent on foreign jollies for breakfast presenters," one viewer complained.

Despite the complaints, not all viewers shared the same opinion as one fan wrote on X: "Jon Kay 01... You should try to break America while you are over there... Get a job on Fox News!!!"

"Great idea," someone else replied.

Elsewhere on the programme, Sally confirmed BBC Breakfast would be showing a special interview with Chris Hoy on Tuesday's programme.

In a pre-recorded interview, Sally sat down with the Olympic cycling legend, who was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer last year. In the interview, He spoke with the BBC host about finding hope even on the darkest days.

BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One.