BBC Breakfast viewers left concerned for star live on air 'we've lost communication'

BBC Breakfast viewers were left concerned for a star live on Friday's (July 25) show.

During today's edition of the hit morning programme, hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt updated viewers on the latest news from across the UK and around the world.

Mike Bushell was also in the studio to present the sports segment, while Matt Taylor delivered regular weather updates live from Portsmouth.

Matt was also joined by reporter John Maguire, who abseiled down the Spinnaker Tower to mark the 20th anniversary of its opening.

John talked to the camera as he carefully travelled down the structure, saying: "I feel as if I'm in extremely safe hands, strapped in."

He continued: "100 metres down we are, the tower itself, Spinnaker Tower, is 170 metres high. That's pretty high, isn't it? You get the most extraordinary view, there's a warship just coming in just below me there.

"I must say, it is rather disconcerting. The one thing I haven't done so far is I haven't been brave or dark enough to look down, other than looking down from the top. Well, what a wonderful thing to be doing on a Friday morning."

As John continued his descent, his microphone was soon cut off, with Naga and Charlie quickly interrupting with an update.

"Well, I'm delighted, John, that it's not too windy for you. We have a shot of you on the Spinnaker Tower, he looks like a bug," Naga said.

Charlie then explained: "The way this has worked is we've lost communication with John. We can hear him still talking, but we can't speak to him.

"We were told sort of two-thirds of the way down that we'd lose communication with him, but you can see him gradually moving his way down and talking at the same time, very impressive."

John reached the bottom a few minutes later and shared his experience with Matt, saying: "It was exhilarating and little bit terrifying... I had my eyes closed most of the way down."

The presenter then revealed that his hands were shaking, adding: "The lift only takes 30 seconds, should have done that."

Matt concluded: "To be fair John, you took that very well. Very, very brave. I've been looking from down here and that platform looks a bit shaky to me."

After watching the segment, the show's viewers quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their concern for John.

"Sod that," one person wrote, with another adding: "This is some live Noel Edmunds disaster s***."

A third said: "John Maguire abseils down Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. It's official! BBC Breakfast is going 100% Blue Peter," with another similarly sharing: "John is brave!"

BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am