BBC Forced to Apologise After Weather Report Goes Seriously Wrong
The BBC has issued an apology after suffering a major technical error (Image: Getty)
The BBC was forced to apologise after viewers issued the same complaint minutes into the daily weather report. Scottish broadcaster Judith Ralston is a familiar face on the airwaves for the Beeb north of the border, delivering the latest weather reports from all over the Scottish Isles. On Wednesday (August 12), the 58-year-old presenter swapped out the northern station for the London offices earlier this month, presenting on BBC News at One.
But it’s fair to say viewers across London struggled to understand the journalist’s “hard accent” and took to social media to share their frustrations online. One person stormed to X – formerly known as Twitter – to say Ms Ralston was “virtually incomprehensible,” even with the TV sound turned up to the max during segments including the lunchtime news.
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BBC viewers shared their complaints on Judith’s forecast online (Image: BBC)
Another moaned that Judith “has a hard accent to always understand”, but her Scottish fanbase was quick to jump to her defence online. One user argued: “Her accent isn’t the problem; her microphone, however, seems to be an issue as it fades in and out.”
A third echoed: “This new presenter on screens in England is terrible. She mumbles, is quiet, has a hard accent to always understand, not the best qualities for the job.” Meanwhile, another echoed: “Your new weather person, Judith Ralson, speaks really, really quietly and is virtually incomprehensible.”
Now, the BBC has confirmed there was a technical issue that caused “the audio levels to be lower than intended” and that it has now been corrected. A spokesperson clarified: “We received complaints regarding the audio quality during weather forecasts presented by Judith Ralston.
“Unfortunately, a technical issue affected some of Judith Ralston’s weather forecasts during the first week of August, causing the audio levels to be lower than intended. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.” Despite the criticism, the former opera singer, who joined BBC Scotland in 1999 as a reporter before moving into meteorology, said she enjoyed her stint in the Big Smoke.
She simply stated: “It was great to get the opportunity to do it for once in my career. The presenters down there were really great fun, and I really felt at home with them.” After her time in London came to an end, Judith shared some behind-the-scenes snaps of her time working in the capital on Instagram, calling it a “privilege” to work with some of the best teams.
Ms Raston captioned the post: “I have just had the most interesting week in London working at New Broadcasting House – the mothership, presenting the National weather. I had the privilege of working with the best teams, who are kind and generous and very talented.
“Some of the pictures here are of the forecasters who work behind the scenes; we work with them too in Glasgow. It’s one big weather family. Big love to Matt Taylor, he’s a king among kings, simply thee best weather brother from another mother.”
Before moving into broadcasting, Edinburgh-born Ralston worked as a professional opera singer. However, her music career was cut short after she developed problems with the muscles in her voice box due to poor teaching.
