The eyeroll that spoke for the nation

It was the eyeroll that spoke for the nation.

BBC newsreader Martine Croxall has gone viral, and earned a special place in our hearts, for giving ‘trans-inclusive’ language the disrespect it deserves.

On BBC News on Saturday, Croxall was discussing some research about heat-related deaths in the UK. On the list of apparently vulnerable groups was ‘pregnant people’ – a term that has been infuriating believers in biology for many years now.

Upon reading this word on the autocue, Croxall paused, rolled her eyes and firmly corrected the phrase to ‘women’.

The moment has been met with delight online, not least from JK Rowling. ‘I have a new favourite BBC presenter’, the Harry Potter author turned gender-critical crusader wrote on X.

It may have been a few seconds of television, but seeing as Croxall works at the Beeb, it felt almost heroic. After all, this is the broadcaster that instructs its journalists to delete gender-critical tweets and promotes pronoun politics to children.

Croxall has responded to her new fans – she’s suddenly gained more than 100,000 followers on X – with a coy wink and a nod: ‘A huge thank you to everyone who has chosen to follow me today for whatever reason’, she tweeted, adding, ‘it’s been quite a ride’.

Later on, to a follower who expressed concern that Croxall might be ‘hauled before the beak’ for her bravery, she replied, ‘braced x’.

Whether or not Croxall’s display of backbone earns her a reprimand from the Beeb, she seems largely unfazed. Hopefully, the vibe shift is finally reaching New Broadcasting House. Surely, there is only so long our state broadcaster can rewrite reality before the script begins to fall apart.

Martine, we salute you.

Georgina Mumford is a spiked intern.