BBC Breakfast

Parents who lost their son at 14 days old opened up on BBC Breakfast on Thursday (February 26)

A grieving mum has claimed her concerns were “shut down” as she opened up about the loss of her baby on BBC Breakfast.

Robyn Davis – whose son Orlando died at 14 days old – appeared on the BBC show on Thursday (February 26), where she said that she was made to feel “like I was going insane and that my concerns weren’t valid or real”.

She spoke out during a report about maternity service failings, with host Charlie Stayt explaining: “Maternity services in England are failing too many families with problems at every stage of maternity journey. It’s the interim conclusion of the national review being led by Baroness Amos.”

His fellow presenter Naga Munchetty continued: “It has identified six factors that impact care, including racism, staffing and culture. The health secretary Wes Streeting, who commissioned the review, has promised to act on Baroness Amos’ final recommendations which are due in April.”

The programme then cut to a report from reporter Michael Buchanan, who said: “When an inquiry in 2015 found that 11 babies and one mother had died avoidably at Furness General Hospital due to poor maternity care, the NHS promised the mistakes would never happen again. Over a decade later, more than 10,000 babies are estimated to have died in England due to maternity errors.”

He went on: “Orlando Davis died in 2021 at 14 days old. Maternity staff failed to recognise his mother had become ill in labour and Orlando was born in a poor condition.

“An inquest found his death had been contributed to by neglect.”

Orlando’s mum Robyn said: “They actually made me feel like I was going insane and that my concerns weren’t valid or real because every time I raised them, they were met with a quick shut down. And because of this, I genuinely believe that that’s why our son is not here.”

The baby’s father Jonathan Davis said: “The number of individuals that were involved in this situation, this wasn’t one or two, this was multiple midwives, multiple consultants and registrars across a prolonged area of time from in the community to in hospital. This was not a one event caused an outcome.”

The report said the family’s experience is supported by Baroness Amos, “who says problems occur at every stage of the maternity journey”.

It went on: “The issues, she says, are caused by cultural leadership of maternity units with midwives and obstetricians sometimes not cooperating, workforce with units not being fully or properly staffed, racism and discrimination, including against poor women, a lack of accountability when things go wrong and outdated and dilapidated buildings.”

The report said that the health secretary “has promised to ensure the review’s final recommendations due in April are enacted”.

“But a maternity safety task force that Wes Streeting also promised to establish by now hasn’t yet been created,” it said. “He says it will be shortly.”

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BBC Breakfast airs on BBC One from 6am.

BBC Breakfast presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt shared a heartbreaking story on Friday

BBC Breakfast has shared some tragic death news as a guest broke down in tears.

Friday’s (February 13) live episode was hosted by Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt, who updated viewers on the latest news from across the UK and around the world.

They were joined in the studio by Matt Taylor, who delivered regular weather updates. Meanwhile, Mike Bushell and Peter Ruddick shared the sporting news and Valentine’s Day features, respectively.

Later in the show, the hosts revealed that the Chair of the Commons Health Committee has called on the UK drug regulator to review warnings on medications which can cause impulsive behaviour as a side effect.

Naga explained: “A BBC investigation has found that for some patients, the drugs cause impulsive gambling or sexual behaviour.”

In a pre-recorded segment, BBC correspondent Noel Titheradge spoke to a man called Freddie, whose dad Bill passed away three years ago. He was prescribed medication for Parkinson’s, which had devastating side effects. Reflecting on the struggles his dad faced, Freddie soon broke down in tears in heartbreaking clips.

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Jon Kay and Sally Nugent delivered sad news as they opened the instalment of BBC Breakfast

BBC Breakfast opened with breaking news after nine people were killed in a school shooting in Canada.

The incident took place in the small town of Tumbler Ridge in British Columbia. The police have said that the suspected shooter was found dead at a school in the town.

Opening the show on Wednesday (February 11), host Jon Kay said: “Here are our headlines today and some breaking news. Nine people have been shot dead at a school in Canada. The attacker has also died.”

Co-host Sally Nugent went on: “At least nine people have been shot dead, 25 injured at a school and at a nearby home in British Columbia in what Canadian officials have described as one of the worst mass shootings in the country’s history.”

Jon continued: “According to Canadian media, an alert said during that attack described the suspect as a female in a dress with brown hair.”

The show then moved to a North America correspondent, who explained: “A total of 10 people are dead. This happened just after lunchtime yesterday.

“The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it received a report of an active shooter at a school in the small town of Tumbler Ridge, a tiny place, a population of about 2,400 people.

“It lies in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

“There was a search of a school. They found six people dead. A seventh died on the way to hospital. More than two dozen people we’re told, were injured.

“Now, the authorities say another person believed to be the attacker was also found dead at the school with what appeared to be self-inflicted injuries.

“Officials say the shooting at the school and at a nearby home where two additional bodies were found are believed to be linked. The authorities say they don’t know yet what the attacker’s connection is to the school.”

The British Columbia Premier David Eby has said: “This is a devastating and unimaginable tragedy. We can’t imagine what the community is going through, but I know it’s causing us all to hug our kids a little bit tighter tonight.”

BBC Breakfast airs on BBC One

Travel expert Simon Calder has called the new booking system a “real faff” as Rome introduces charges to manage overtourism.

A travel expert has issued a warning about major changes taking effect at a world-renowned tourist attraction from tomorrow.

Numerous cities have been grappling with overtourism in recent years, with authorities working to tackle enormous crowds and unacceptable conduct.

Rome has now joined the growing list of cities taking action. Visitors wishing to see the famous Trevi Fountain will be required to pay a €2 (£1.75) entrance fee. The new charge for tourists comes into effect on February 2.

Coins thrown into the fountain will continue to be donated to charity, but the entrance fee for the Baroque landmark will go to the city council. Officials say the money will fund the fountain’s maintenance as well as visitor management.

Rome anticipates generating €6.5million annually from the fountain alone. Furthermore, the Trevi Fountain isn’t the only attraction where tourists will now face charges, as fees have been introduced at five additional sites including the Napoleonic Museum, reports the Express.

The Trevi Fountain attracts approximately 30,000 visitors daily. Travel expert Simon Calder offered his perspective on the new charging system, revealing it took him 15 minutes to secure a ticket.

He confessed: “It’s a real faff, but they say it is necessary at the Trevi Fountain, and five other locations around Rome, in order to keep tourism manageable.”

Explaining the rationale behind the fee, Simon told BBC Breakfast : “The idea is that tourism is so intense in some key locations, that you have got to do something to control it.”

Discussing the impact of the charge, Simon said: “I don’t think it will put people off, it will hopefully make the experience a bit more manageable.

“There has been cases of people climbing into the fountain, they have police there prepared to haul them out and fine them heavily.

“I think Romans are in two separate camps here. There’s the people that say it is a public space, you can’t possibly start regulating entry, it is anti-democratic and anti-freedom.

“Then there’s others that say, frankly, when you’re into the summer in Rome things become a bit unmanageable and anything we can do to try to bring some decorum has to be a good thing.”

From February, tourists and non-residents wanting to enter the basin of the Trevi Fountain must shell out two euros for a ticket, which grants access daily between 9am and 10pm.

Rome residents, youngsters aged five and under, and disabled visitors can still enter without charge. Viewing the Trevi Fountain from afar will remain completely free.

The BBC Breakfast presenter shared a major career announcement as he was supported by fans

Former BBC Breakfast presenter Ben Boulos has announced his new TV role, weeks after his exit from the broadcaster.

Ben recently shared his final day on the red sofa, saying: “Just before we finish, just to share a bit of news about me. It’s my last appearance on Breakfast for the time being, I am off to take a new job elsewhere.

“But I will miss this place, I will miss this programme a lot.”

Becoming emotional, he continued: “I have had the most wonderful time on Breakfast.

“I just want to say thank you to the brilliant teams that we work with and above all thank you to everyone watching at home for letting me be a part of your mornings.

“It has been a real pleasure and a privilege.”

The presenter had appeared on Business Live, Talking Business, BBC World News and more over the last 16 years, and has now confirmed his new role.

Taking to Instagram, he shared: “Here it is… Very excited that I can now share news about my new job with you all – and delighted to be joining the brilliant team @cnbcinternational @cnbc in London where I’ll be an anchor on #SquawkBoxEurope alongside Karen & Steve, 5 mornings a week. More details on how you can watch and when, coming soon. Cannot wait to get started!”

Ben joins Karen Tso and Steve Sedgwick in early February, as Julianna Tatelbaum begins maternity leave, a press release announced.

It read: “Together, Ben, Karen and Steve will cover the most important market-moving and complex stories of the day.”

“I am delighted that Ben is joining the CNBC International team,” Head of TV News for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Leonie Kidd said.

“His specialist knowledge of global business and economics, combined with years of experience presenting to audiences across the UK and worldwide, will be an incredible asset. Ben’s ability to make complex financial stories clear and engaging is exactly what we need as we continue to grow our coverage and connect with new audiences.”

Ben was showered in support from his followers, with one writing: “Wishing you the very best in this new chapter!”

Another said: “Congratulations! This is very exciting news! Good luck on the new adventure. Least you are used to those morning alarms!”

“Just wonderful. Well done,” a third wrote, as another said: “How exciting. You’ll be fabulous I’m sure.”

Ben had previously teased his new role on social media, saying: “After 16 years of working at the BBC I will be leaving at the end of this week. My last shift will be presenting BBC Breakfast on Sunday 11 January.

“I’ve had the most wonderful decade and a half here, working with many brilliant people, a lot of that time spent working in that building there, but of course, those of you with long memories will remember that my BBC journey started in Chelmsford at BBC Breakfast, then onto Look East, Five Live, before coming here to work at BBC World News, BBC News Channel, World Service Radio, and then of course Breakfast up in Salford, where I’ve been working for most of the last three years.

“However, it is time for a change, a new challenge, a new year. I’m leaving to go and take up a very exciting opportunity elsewhere.

“All I will say at the moment is that I will still be in broadcasting, I will still be presenting on television, but I will share more details about it with you soon.

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“But in the meantime, I just wanted to say, thank you for the messages and comments of support and encouragement over the past years, and a thank you for taking an interest and following me on here and I cannot wait to share the next chapter of my journey with you.”

He captioned the clip: “New year, new start, new challenge. A big change for me in 2026 and exciting times ahead!”

BBC Breakfast airs from 6am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.