BBC Newsreader: ‘Pregnant People’ Row & On-Air Reaction
- BBC newsreader martine Croxall appeared to change her phrasing from "pregnant people" to "women" during a recent news segment.
- Croxall initially quoted the research, stating, "Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, said the aged, pregnant people… women… and those with pre-existing health conditions need to...
- Rowling, who has previously criticized trans-inclusive language, voiced her support for Croxall on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, "I have a new favorite BBC presenter." Rowling has...
Breaking news: BBC newsreader martine Croxall sparked a debate by switching from “pregnant people” too “women” during a live broadcast. This change in phrasing, while reporting on a story about heat-related deaths, quickly garnered attention. Author J.K. rowling voiced support for Croxall’s language. the BBC currently lacks a specific policy. The shift ignited conversations about gender-neutral language in maternity care.As a leader in news aggregation, News Directory 3 will continue tracking how language and policy shape the public discourse. Discover what’s next in this evolving story.
BBC newsreader switches ‘pregnant people’ to ‘women’ on air
Updated June 23, 2025
BBC newsreader martine Croxall appeared to change her phrasing from “pregnant people” to “women” during a recent news segment. The 56-year-old was presenting a report on research concerning the expected rise in heat-related deaths in Britain when the change occurred.
Croxall initially quoted the research, stating, “Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, said the aged, pregnant people… women… and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions.”
Author J.K. Rowling, who has previously criticized trans-inclusive language, voiced her support for Croxall on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, “I have a new favorite BBC presenter.” Rowling has previously taken issue with phrases like “people who menstruate.”
When one commenter on X suggested Croxall might face repercussions from the BBC,she responded that she was “braced.”
The BBC currently does not have a specific policy requiring the use of the term “pregnant people.”
Croxall returned to the BBC last year after taking legal action against the broadcaster, claiming she was among a group of employees kept off-air during a rebrand. She returned to her position after an employment tribunal.
The use of gender-neutral language in maternity care has been a topic of debate. In 2021, a Brighton hospital faced criticism for implementing a “gender-inclusive language policy.” A maternity bill in the UK changed the word “person” to “mothers and expecting mothers” after complaints.
Sir Stephen Fry, who previously defended Rowling, recently said she has been “radicalized” by TERFs and the vitriol directed at her, calling her a “lost cause.”
“She has been radicalised, I fear, and it may be she has been radicalised by TERFs, but also by the vitriol that is thrown at her,” Fry said. “It is unhelpful and only hardens her and will only continue to harden her, I am afraid.”
He added, “I am not saying that she should not be called out when she says things that are realy cruel, wrong and mocking.”