A BBC Radio 4 presenter has been taken off air after he sounded unwell while speaking on the radio.
Justin Webb, the long-standing presenter of Radio 4’s Today, opened the programme alongside Anna Foster on Tuesday at 6am.
Webb, 65, whose voice sounded strained, apologised a few times as he coughed on air and struggled to finish some sentences.
After Foster introduced the programme, Webb read the headlines and said “excuse me” within seconds as he scratched his throat.
He spoke again a few minutes later to introduce Simon King’s weather forecast and later to discuss the Daily Mirror headlines and ask BBC News journalist Simon Atkinson questions on Open AI’s breach of Australian government websites earlier this year.
At 6.40am, Foster said: “It is 20 to seven now. Jonny Dymond is here, good morning.
“Important to say, if you’ve heard Justin’s voice this morning, he’s at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham.
“He’s struggling a bit with his throat, so we’re saving him … we’re saving him for that.
“And, Jonny, you’re here with me to continue with everything.”
BBC journalist Dymond replied: “Poor man has the conference lurgi that sweeps around these places every year. But, yes, it is 20 to seven.”
Dymond then proceeded to present the programme with Foster.
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
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