BBC apologises for "inappropriate comment" after D-Day broadcast removed from iPlayer

kirsty young, dday tribute to the fallen
BBC apologises over comment in D-Day broadcastBBC

The BBC has issued an apology for an "inappropriate comment" that was heard during a D-Day broadcast.

Earlier this week, the broadcaster marked 80 years since the Normandy Landings during World War II, with its programme D-Day 80: Tribute to the Fallen airing on Wednesday evening (June 5).

During an on-air moment, presenter Kirsty Young introduced a military band at Bayeux's Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bayeux, telling viewers that commentary would be provided by Petroc Trelawny.

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However, as the camera stayed in the studio in an awkward moment, a voice in the background could be heard saying: "French assholes."

The BBC has since apologised and revealed that the programme was temporarily taken off BBC iPlayer in order to edit out the moment. It has since been restored to the streaming service.

"We sincerely apologise for an inappropriate comment that was captured during live coverage of the D-Day at 80 event in Bayeux," they said in a statement before the programme returned to iPlayer (via Metro).

"The programme is being edited and is temporarily unavailable on BBC iPlayer."

kirsty young, dday tribute to the fallen
BBC

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This isn’t the only apology the BBC has had to issue in relation to D-Day coverage in recent days, with the broadcaster responding after an inaccuracy was broadcast during the Antiques Roadshow: D-Day special.

In a map showing the travel of D-Day troops on the programme, the south coast town of Weymouth was incorrectly marked, with the graphic appearing to confuse it for Poole 30 miles away.

"A graphic recreation of a wartime map incorrectly positioned the town of Weymouth. This has been corrected for future broadcasts," a BBC spokesperson said following complaints.

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