BBCs Kirsty Wark made huge Prince Andrew blunder before leaving Newsnight
Kirsty Wark once made a “car crash” of a live blunder when discussing Prince Andrew, prior to her exit from Newsnight.
The TV presenter, 68, confirmed she was stepping down from the BBC show on Thursday (October 19). In an emotional statement to fans, she told them it had been "an enormous privilege” to be a part of the programme.
Having fronted the show since 1993, Kirsty was a regular on TV screens giving viewers the rundown of news. But like most professionals, Kirsty once slipped up live on-air.
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Last year, Kirsty was reporting on Prince Andrew’s sex assault case on the BBC show. At the time, a judge had refused to dismiss his case.
However, in a rather awkward moment, Kirsty confused Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, with the now-King Charles. She said: “The Prince Charles sexual assault case can now go ahead, said the Judge. But will the public humiliation force him to settle out in court?”
Fans at the time were stunned at Emily’s slip-up. Taking to X, then known as Twitter, one user penned: “She also described Prince Andrew as Prince CHARLES. Bit of a car crash performance tonight.”
A second chimed in and added: “Prince Charles? Well, that’s a development…” A third quipped: “Kirsty Wark just said the Prince Charles case can now go ahead. Ouch. The heir to the throne is not going to like that.”
Someone else joked: “Newsnight’s lawyers just crapped themselves when Kirsty Wark bafflingly trailed a report on the ‘Prince Charles sexual abuse case.” A fifth said: “Prince Charles sex scandal – well that's news to me.”
But she later issued an apology for the mishap. She told viewers: "Sorry, I earlier said ‘Prince Charles’."
Prince Andrew has denied any wrongdoing and the case between himself and Virginia Giuffre was settled out of court in February.
Kirsty announced her departure from Newsnight on Thursday (October 19). She said in a statement: "Today I am celebrating 30 years presenting Newsnight.
“It is an enormous privilege to be involved in such a rigorous, creative programme with a wonderful, talented, bunch of colleagues – actually many bunches over the years, led, most recently by Esme Wren followed by Stewart Maclean. There’s not a day when I don’t look forward to coming to the office, and every day I learn something from the team about all manner of things, from aspects of American foreign policy to how to make a great mojito."
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She added: "Last year I spoke to both the Director General Tim Davie and to Stewart and signalled my desire to end my three decade run on the show after the next election, and that’s the plan. When the time comes it will be a massive wrench."
Going forward, Kirsty revealed to fans exciting times are ahead despite her exit. She insisted she is not leaving the BBC as she will still front other programmes for the broadcaster, but she also wants finish her third novel.
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