BBC Breakfast fans ‘traumatised’ as reporter left dangling off the London Eye for ‘horrific’ live report
BBC Breakfast fans were left ‘traumatised’ after a reporter was left dangling off the London Eye for a ‘horrific’ live report.
Brave reporter John Maguire headed to the iconic structure in the capital to report on how it is cleaned and painted by equally courageous abseiling maintenance people.
The tourist attraction is closed every three years to allow for the cleaning, and towards the end of Wednesday’s programme, John was seen hanging off the side of the Eye with two members of staff as they set about painting it.
A nervous John told Sally Nugent he was feeling “absolutely terrified” before adding: “Was that in the risk assessment?”
As Sally and co-host Jon Kay laughed, John chuckled and said: “No we’re good, I tell you the only thing that’s stopping me from running away screaming and crying is I’m in the extremely capable hands of two Chris’s and a Pete.
“They’re highly qualified and know exactly what they’re doing, they make you feel very comfortable.”
As they started to lower, one of the men asked if John had his “big boy pants on” and John replied: “I’ve got three pairs of big boy pants on.”
As they started to move down, John said: “It does feel odd to be letting go I can tell you that.”
The pair continued to head down away from the ledge as the cameras followed his every move.
John laughed nervously and said: “It’s a phenomenal view!”
It isn’t the first time John has been up high for the sake of a story as he reminded viewers: “You can imagine the type of work these guys do, we were with some on Blackpool Tower last year if you remember the last time I looked totally terrified on Breakfast, that was then.
“They are experts working at these heights.”
John then had a chat with one of the men as they dangled high up in the London sky, and BBC Breakfast viewers were full of sympathy for the journalist.
One wrote on X: “Please stop leaving @JohnMag20 dangling at ridiculous heights again traumatising me let alone him #bbcbreakfast.”
Another added: “Just so you know, not even for a million quid would I do what @JohnMag20 is doing right now. I wouldn’t abseil down the garden fence let alone down the side of the London Eye.”
A third tweeted: “Would I f*** do that! I’m s*** scared of heights! Good luck, John, fingers crossed here for your safe return.”
Earlier in the studio, Jon, 53, admitted he was scared being in a pod on the London Eye during a previous visit, let alone dangling out in the open air like his colleague.
He told Sally: “I went in one of the capsules about 10 years ago and I literally had to close my eyes.”
As he put his hands up in front of him and tilted forward, he added: “I had to go down on my hands and knees because I couldn’t bear it. So the idea of dangling is horrific!
“But John… he’s up for anything our John. Live dangling here on BBC Breakfast!”
BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One.