BBC Breakfast presenters have faced criticism from viewers after appearing without poppies on the opening day of the Royal British Legion’s annual remembrance appeal.
Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty hosted Wednesday morning’s programme, but neither presenter wore the red remembrance flower traditionally associated with the charity campaign.
On ITV’s Good Morning Britain, meanwhile, Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh appeared wearing poppies. Anna Jones also wore one while presenting Sky’s breakfast news programme.
The BBC’s decision prompted frustration on social media. Adrian Dodd wrote: “Why are the BBC breakfast presenters not wearing poppies? All the other UK news are.”
Ian Ward, a councillor in Sandown on the Isle of Wight, said he had noticed presenters and guests wearing poppies on ITV and Sky News, but added: “Unfortunately, nobody on the BBC News is wearing a Poppy.”
News viewer Elaine Hoggard raised the same issue in a Facebook post the previous evening, writing: “Anyone else noticed that BBC News channels are not wearing poppies. All other channels are. Shame on you BBC.”
A BBC spokesperson told the Daily Mail that the corporation’s policy allows presenters to wear poppies on screen from 6am on Saturday, October 24, until 11.59pm on Tuesday, November 11, 2026.
The spokesperson said the guidance applies to every BBC presenter and programme, including news broadcasts.
BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty did not wear poppies during Wednesday morning’s broadcast
ITV’s Good Morning Britain hosts Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh, however, appeared wearing the remembrance symbol
Sky breakfast news presenter Anna Jones also wore a poppy on the first day of this year’s charity appeal
Mr Stayt, 64, and Ms Munchetty, 51, faced comparable criticism in October 2020 after beginning a 6am BBC Breakfast broadcast wearing poppies before removing them at about 6.05am.
At the time, the BBC said it sets an annual date from which poppies can be worn on air, helping maintain consistency across its programmes and output.
In 2020, the approved date was October 31, meaning the BBC Breakfast presenters had worn their poppies before the permitted period began.
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A BBC spokesperson said: “Naga and Charlie were wearing [their poppies] earlier than the guidance outlined, which is why they were removed, and there was no intention to appear disrespectful.
“The following morning, Saturday 31st October, Naga and Charlie were wearing poppies in line with the guidance.”
The previous day, Andy Burnham welcomed armed forces veterans and poppy appeal collectors to No10 North in Manchester to mark the launch of this year’s campaign.
Prime ministers traditionally make a donation to the appeal outside Downing Street. However, Mr Burnham chose instead to meet campaigners at the Manchester hub.
Speaking alongside his wife, Marie-France van Heel, the Prime Minister said: “This time of year gives us the opportunity to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served, remember those who never came home, and show our gratitude to the entire veterans and armed forces community.
“I also want to put on record my personal thanks to those who have served, and those who continue to serve today, to protect our national security and keep our country safe – thank you for your service and the sacrifice you and your loved ones make.
‘Every donation made to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal will help support those who have served and give back to those who have done so much for us.’
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel met poppy appeal collectors and armed forces veterans at No 10 North yesterday
In 2001 the corporation was accused of ‘insane’ political correctness after it admitted presenters on its international news channel had been banned from wearing poppies.
BBC World presenters were not allowed to wear the remembrance symbol because it was not recognised abroad and was therefore inappropriate for an international channel.
Robert Fox, a London Evening Standard reporter, was told to remove his poppy before going on air that year and said he was ‘furious’ at the policy.
At the time Rachel Attwell, then-controller of BBC World, defended the ban saying: ‘Because we have a global audience, it has always been policy that news presenters do not wear poppies.
‘There is a lack of awareness of what the poppy means overseas. It is simply not recognised.’