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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
James Morris

Nicholas Witchell lost for words on royal baby live on air: fellow broadcasters leap to defence of veteran BBC royal correspondent

This is the moment veteran BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell was lost for words live on air as he reported on the royal baby.

Stationed outside Buckingham Palace, Mr Witchell suddenly asked presenter Ben Brown to bear with him after he lost his train of thought.

"The first Anglo-American birth in the British royal family," he said. "Now we, er, know, of course, that er... excuse me, let me just collect my thoughts."

Mr Witchell then continued his report, but seconds later stalled again. He then handed back to Mr Brown.

Colleagues jumped to his defence.

BBC News at Ten presenter Huw Edwards said: "For the record. Nick WItchell’s supreme professionalism is — and always has been — the envy of all his colleagues."

And Sky presenter Adam Boulton said: "What just happened to Nicholas Witchell? Great reporter. Something must have been distracting him."

Mr Witchell wasn't the only one who had an on-air moment on Monday. The Duke of Sussex himself thanked a pair of horses after confirming the baby's birth on live TV.

Sky anchor Kay Burley wrote online: "For those who think they can do a better job than the supreme professional Nicholas Witchell I’d like to see you try. Doctors bury their mistakes, lawyers jail theirs and TV journalists broadcast theirs. Get off his case and get on with your day."

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