Given the events of recent days as it found itself under siege from the government and its rightwing critics in the press, the BBC could probably do with a hug. But could Marion Bartoli?
We only ask after the former Wimbledon champ was embraced by BBC sports reporter Mike Bushell when she appeared on BBC1’s Breakfast programme in a not entirely comfortable moment ahead of the weekend’s finals.
Presenter Charlie Stayt told him: “Very nice Mike, you’ve added another major tennis superstar to your list of people that Bushell has hugged during this year’s Wimbledon.”
Partridge, sorry, Bushell said Bartoli was “one of the cuddliest people I have ever met, one of the huggiest people”.
“I had to hug you again this year,” he told her. “I’ve been told off for hugging people too much, you are such a lovely person you exude warmth and charisma. It’s natural to hug. I am a very huggy person myself.”
Perhaps realising it was all about to go a bit W1A – or, more precisely, Wimbledon 2Day – Bushell added: “I don’t think Marion was offended by it…”
“No, no,” said Bartoli, who was on the receiving end of John Inverdale’s comments two years ago.
Stayt said it was a “nice approach, more hugs, that’s what I say.” But the look on the face of his Breakfast co-presenter Naga Munchetty suggested otherwise.
“We don’t need to do that here,” said Munchetty. Firm handshakes all round.
