BBC Breakfast viewers say 'that's harsh' as ticket row heats up

BBC Breakfast fans were forced to call out presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty as a concert ticket debate caused tension.

The hosts were back on the famous red sofa for Friday's instalment of the morning programme (January 10), covering a range of topics from across the globe. During the show, Naga and Charlie were joined by Labour MP Lisa Nandy.

Lisa, who is the UK's Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport shared news regarding a new cap on the price of resold tickets for concerts, live sport and other events.

Explaining that customers shouldn't be forced to pay thousands of pounds for an Oasis ticket that has been resold, Lisa attempted to explain why the government is now stepping in to help those vulnerable.

Sharing her thoughts on the matter, Lisa said: "I believe music belongs to fans and fans make the music industry what it is!"

But Naga quickly stopped Lisa in her tracks as she highlighted the fact that fans have been willing to pay an extortionate price to secure a ticket to certain live events.

Lisa then said: "They want to buy tickets but they can't buy tickets because I don't know anyone in this country that can afford £1000 for a ticket."

Naga replied: "Well, there are lots of people who can afford £1,000 and will and who did!" Noticing the MP's surprised reaction, Naga frankly said: "There are! Because people bought them!

"It's a ridiculous amount of money, of course, but people were willing to pay for it, that's the problem, so if they know there's a market there, they're going to carry on doing it."

Trying to make sense of the situation, Charlie then stepped in demanding to know whether the government was imposing a new law to crack down on greedy ticket touts.

However, after witnessing the tension unravel on screens, viewers believed the presenters may have been too critical of Lisa as she faced intense opposition from the famous news anchors.

Heading over to social media site X, one viewer said: "Naga and Charlie unnecessarily harsh with Lisa Nandy on ticket pricing."

Another viewer echoed: "Why are Charlie and Naga giving Nandy a hard time for trying to stop ticket touts and predatory ticketing prices? It’s a good thing for Bob's sake!

A third viewer chimed: "Naga seems ok with touts. I spent 6 hours trying to get Oasis tickets, not prepared to pay £1400 for two, but Naga would apparently and sees it as legitimate."

However, some fans appeared to take the presenter's side, with one writing: "Has she not got bigger problems to deal with in the UK apart from ticket touters."

BBC Breakfast airs Mondays-Sundays from 6am on BBC One.