BBC Breakfast's Jon Kay takes swipe at BBC over strict dress code and gruelling hours

BBC Breakfast has hosted the morning show since 2022 (Image: BBC)

BBC Breakfast’s Jon Kay took a cheeky swipe at his BBC bosses after meeting up with a fellow colleague from Down Under.

Last week, the 55-year-old broadcaster travelled across the pond to Washington DC to cover the 47th US presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

While the dad-of-three was there, he bumped into his close friend and fellow broadcaster Michael Rowland who presents ABC News Breakfast in Australia.

But the journalist couldn’t help but feel envious for his fellow reporter, 56, after spotting a gruelling difference in their schedules. Sharing a snap of the pair together outside the White House, he reflected on their overdue catch up.

He captioned the post: “We lead parallel lives on opposite sides of the world. Great finally to meet @abcaustralia News Breakfast host @mjrowloand68 at a convenient halfway point in Washington.

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The broadcaster complained about his pal's relaxed dress code (Image: Instagram)

“I gave him a @ bbcbreakfast mug. Michael’s Australian breakfast TV hours have been much less brutal than mine while we’ve been working here.

“He’s been on air 2pm = 5pm [smiling emoji] The BBC team has been doing 1am – 4am [sleeping emoji] ... which explains why he looks fresh as daisy and my eyes are half-shut.” The TV presenter couldn’t help but point out one other glaringly obvious difference between their hosting routines.

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He chuckled: “PS @bbcfrediani please note that Michael doesn’t have to wear a tie on air...” Jon could be seen beaming in a red and blue tartan shirt which he layered over a white T-shirt.

Meanwhile, Michael was dressed up to the nines in a navy suit and a light blue button-down shirt which he unbuttoned the top two for.

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The TV star finished the look with a red pocket square and proudly held up his BBC Breakfast mug as he smiled alongside Jon. It comes after the newsreader shared his thoughts of the thrilling two weeks after he landed back in the UK.

Alongside a series of behind-the-scenes snaps from the presidential campaign, he praised the entire BBC team for their efforts covering the historic election.

He captioned the post: “Some behind-the-scenes pics from an exhilarating and exhausting week covering the US Election. What a privilege for our small Breakfast team to travel to Pennsylvania and Washington DC to join forces with so many talented colleagues from across the wider BBC.

“Nine million UK viewers tuned into the TV results programme. Breakfast and the BBC News at One on Wednesday. Massive thanks to everyone I worked with – especially Kelly, Mandy, Nick from Team Breakfast who powered through the long night shifts with coffee, smiles and no complaints (to my face [winking emoji]) and Tim, Autumn, Anna and Martin who are honorary members of #teambreakfast.”

BBC Breakfast airs every day from 6am on BBC One or catch up on BBC iPlayer.