An inquisitive girl amused viewers when she interrupted her mother’s live BBC News interview on Wednesday, July 1.
Dr Clare Wenham, assistant professor of global health policy at the London School of Economics, appeared on BBC News via video call on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the coronavirus pandemic.
However, while the interview was taking place, Wenham’s daughter, Scarlett, can be seen in the background trying to position a portrait.
Newsreader Christian Fraser decided then to engage Scarlett in a conversation and the little girl dived deeper into the conversation, taking over the interview, despite her mother’s best attempts to contain her.
Mr Fraser had begun the interview by asking Dr Wenham about data sets that the Government had not shared with local authorities in Leicester amid the city’s flare-up of cases and localised lockdown.
Dr Wenham said: “It is really alarming that not all this data is being shared and not being shared equitably.
“I think it reveals a broader tension between the centralisation of the response to the coronavirus outbreak and the local activities,” she added.
Her daughter suddenly appeared by her side wearing a yellow polka-dot dress and Dr Wenham starts apologising.
Mr Fraser said: “That is quite alright. We know how it is working from home.”
He then asked: “Do you need to do anything?”
Dr Wenham replied: “No I’m fine thank you,” before continuing with the interview.
However, Scarlett then proceeded to climb on top of the desk and eventually in front of the screen, before her mother lifts her down.
Brandishing a frame that appeared to depict a unicorn which she had picked up from a shelf in the background, Scarlett asked: “Mummy, where do you want this picture?”,
In response, presenter Christian Fraser asked Dr Wenham for her daughter’s name and when she told him, he addressed the girl, saying: “Scarlett, I think it looks better on the lower shelf… and it’s a lovely unicorn”
Overhearing the newsreader Scarlett then asked: “Mummy, what’s his name?”
“My name is Christian,” replied Mr Fraser.
Scarlett responded: “Christian, I’m just deciding where it can go and where mummy wants it to go.”
“I think just on that shelf is great, thank you,” said Dr Wenham – before turning back to the camera and adding “I’m so sorry.”
Mr Fraser described it as “the most informative interview I’ve done all day”.
As he rounds up the segment, Scarlett can still be heard calling her mother in the background.
Mr Fraser said: “Scarlett needs looking after. I can see you are very busy. You have got your hands full.”
The interview received mixed reactions on Twitter. Some said it was a hilarious and cute moment. Others said it’s a sign the child isn’t well disciplined.
The child’s babysitter, Katharine Hogan reacted, saying: “Ooo this has never happened before. I babysit for this family. Scarlett is great, as is her little brother. Also one of the loveliest mums I know, gonna text and say good to see them (on the bbc).
Today, Dr Wenham reacted to the comments on the video by sharing a photo of her and her daughter and writing: “We’ve decided on a shelf for the unicorn. Thanks to all for kind words normalising the work-parent balance that so many are juggling amid #covid19 chaos ?@BBCNews? ???@haynesdeborah? Today Scarlett wants to be #superheroelsa.”
Watch the video below.
