Harry Potter author praises Martine Croxall after veteran broadcaster overrides autocue with eyebrow raise and smirk
JK Rowling has declared she has a “new favourite BBC presenter” after veteran newsreader Martine Croxall dramatically overruled an autocue instruction to say “pregnant people” – and said “women” instead.
The Harry Potter author, 59, who has become one of Britain’s most prominent voices on sex-based rights, took to social media to praise the journalist, 56, after a clip from a recent BBC News episode went viral.
The moment that caught Rowling’s attention saw Ms Croxall introducing new research on heat-related deaths during Britain’s current heatwave. But as the autocue prompted her to warn “pregnant people” to take precautions, the seasoned broadcaster first read the term before correcting herself with a knowing smirk and raised eyebrow.
The Moment That Went Viral
Reading from the autocue, Ms Croxall said: “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.
The deliberate correction, complete with theatrical eye-roll as she realised what the script team had “tried to slip in,” quickly caught the attention of gender-critical campaigners and viewers alike.
The original clip was first shared by campaign group SEEN In Journalism, which says it “seeks to restore accuracy and impartiality to media coverage of sex and gender.” They captioned their post: “Good to see accuracy on BBC News,” followed by a pregnant woman emoji.
Rowling’s Endorsement
JK Rowling, never one to miss an opportunity to weigh in on gender debates, reposted the clip on X with the caption: “I have a new favourite BBC presenter.
The author’s endorsement quickly garnered thousands of likes and shares from her supporters, though it also raised concerns about potential backlash for the veteran newsreader.
When a commenter praised Ms Croxall’s move as “brilliant” but added “I hope you don’t get hauled before the BBC News beak,” the broadcaster herself responded with characteristic brevity: “Braced x.
Praise From Gender-Critical Voices
Therapist and gender-critical campaigner James Esses was among those praising Ms Croxall’s decision, posting: “The BBC is so utterly enthralled to gender ideology that it took a brave newsreader to correct the teleprompter instruction to say ‘pregnant people’ by instead saying ‘women’ afterwards.
He added ominously: “Let’s hope she isn’t cancelled for her rebellion!”
Former BBC journalist Sean McGinty, who co-founded BBC Introducing during his 20-year career with the broadcaster before leaving in 2024, also backed the newsreader, calling her “fab, also brave and strong enough to do so from within.
Veteran Broadcaster’s Career
Ms Croxall is one of the main presenters of BBC News, having started with the broadcaster more than 30 years ago in 1991, joining the news programme in 2001. She’s become one of the corporation’s most recognisable faces, praised for her professional coverage of major events including the 2015 Paris attacks and the death of Prince Philip in 2021.
The incident comes months after Ms Croxall made headlines for challenging a pro-transgender activist following April’s Supreme Court ruling on the definition of sex within the 2010 Equality Act.
The Supreme Court Context
Ms Croxall’s stance reflects the ongoing debate following the UK Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in April 2025 that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act “refer to a biological woman and biological sex.
During a live interview just after that ruling, Ms Croxall had clashed with trans campaigner and ex-Labour MSP candidate Heather Herbert, who claimed to feel “under attack.” The presenter questioned how it was an “attack,” stating it was simply a “clarification of what the word woman means.
When Herbert asked for “clarification,” Ms Croxall replied firmly: “The ruling is that woman means biological sex.”
Rowling’s Ongoing Campaign
JK Rowling has been a vocal supporter of the Supreme Court ruling, having donated £70,000 to For Women Scotland, the group that brought the landmark case. Following the ruling, she posted photos of herself celebrating what she called “TERF VE Day,” complete with images of her smoking a cigar and holding wine, captioning one: “I love it when a plan comes together.
The author has since established the JK Rowling Women’s Fund to support similar legal cases, stating she believes private funding is “the most efficient, streamlined way” to support campaigns defending sex-based rights.
Mixed Reactions
While supporters praised Ms Croxall’s “accuracy” and “bravery,” others worried about the potential consequences for her career. One commenter noted: “The worst thing is that your post probably just resulted in her never being on the BBC again once her bosses see it.
Another supporter wrote: “What is her name? I only want her as a BBC presenter,” while others called for her to receive a pay rise for “standing up for women & girls AND biological science.”
BBC’s Recent History
The incident is particularly notable given Ms Croxall’s recent legal battle with the BBC. In March 2025, she and three colleagues – Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera, and Annita McVeigh – reached a settlement with the corporation following a three-year dispute over what they described as a “sham” recruitment process, including claims of sex and age discrimination.
Ms Croxall had previously been taken off air for 11 days in 2022 and found to have breached impartiality rules for comments made about Boris Johnson’s withdrawal from the Conservative leadership race, when she declared it was “all very exciting” and asked if she was “allowed to be this gleeful.
The Broader Debate
The “pregnant people” versus “women” debate has become a flashpoint in discussions about inclusive language versus biological accuracy. While some argue that gender-neutral language is more inclusive of trans men and non-binary people who can become pregnant, critics like Rowling maintain that such language erases women and denies biological reality.
As one Twitter user put it: “Watch the eye roll as Martine Croxall realises ‘Malcolm’/ the script team have tried to slip in ‘pregnant people’! @BBCNews stop erasing the uniqueness of ONLY the female sex being capable of pregnancy.”
For now, Ms Croxall appears to have won admirers on one side of the debate while potentially putting herself at risk of criticism from the other. As she tersely put it when warned about potential consequences: “Braced x.”
