A BBC News anchor has ignited significant controversy following her reaction during an interview with young musician DC3, who named Jesus Christ as one of his heroes. The incident occurred on Saturday during a segment featuring the 18-year-old artist, whose real name is Daniel Chenjerai. When asked to list his idols, DC3 mentioned several artists, including Santan Dave and Kendrick Lamar, before stating, “most of all, Jesus Christ.” Immediately after this declaration, anchor Geeta Guru-Murthy, aged 58, reportedly made a hissing sound, which has since sparked outrage and a flurry of memes across social media.
The reaction has led to accusations of bias against Christians, with users on the platform X criticizing both the anchor and the BBC. Journalist Peter Lloyd remarked, “BBC’s [Geeta Guru-Murthy] hisses at a man who says Jesus Christ is his hero. Imagine the outrage if this happened with Prophet Muhammad.” Another user questioned why Guru-Murthy reacted as if DC3 had uttered a racial slur.
In the aftermath of the interview, DC3 took to social media to address the incident directly. He affirmed his faith with a post stating, “Jesus Christ is real,” and added, “The revolution will be televised in Jesus name.” This response has resonated with many followers, further amplifying the discussion surrounding the original interview.
Guru-Murthy has since defended herself against the backlash. In a post on X, she clarified, “I’ve seen there’s some discussion about the end of my interview with DC3 this week. For the record, I was simply breathing in before moving to end the interview. To suggest anything else is just untrue.” She also tagged the BBC in her post, emphasizing her stance.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for the BBC categorically denied any claims that Guru-Murthy hissed at the mention of Jesus Christ, stating, “This is categorically untrue.” This official statement aims to quell the growing discontent surrounding the interview and its implications.
The controversy highlights the ongoing discussions about freedom of expression and religious sensitivity within media outlets. As public figures navigate these complex interactions, the incident serves as a reminder of the impact that on-air moments can have in the age of social media, where reactions can quickly go viral and spark widespread debate.
As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how both the BBC and Guru-Murthy will manage the fallout from this incident, particularly as DC3 prepares for the upcoming 2026 MOBO Awards, where he has been nominated for two awards.
