BBC BLUNDER: Victoria Derbyshire 'so sorry' after huge error – 'never said that before'

Victoria Derbyshire has apologised for swearing while trying to say ‘Jeremy Hunt’. The BBChost was left rather embarrassed after making the mistake, adding she has “never said that before”. Referring to a panel member on the Victoria Derbyshire show, the BBC presenter said: “You say that the man that you’re backing is Jeremy ****. I’m so sorry, Jeremy Hunt. I’ve never said that before in my life, it’s usually men who say that.

“So I really, really want to apologise.

“I’m sorry.”

Ms Derbyshire tweeted shortly afterwards: "PS apologies again and I meant it’s been mostly men on air, male broadcasters, who have ended up getting his name wrong, am *not* saying men generally go around saying the word!! That’s what was in my head - appreciate it didn’t come out like that. Sorry again."

Mr Hunt referred to the unfortunate mistake often made with his name during a press conference on Monday. He joked: “Anyone who knows what my last name rhymes with will know I have been called a whole lot worse on the Today Programme on the BBC.”

I really, really want to apologise

Victoria Derbyshire

Mr Hunt has launched his leadership campaign, saying: "Choose me for unity over division. For experience over rhetoric.

"For tough negotiation over empty threats.

"Choose me and I will take us through this time of crisis, deliver Brexit, and make our country walk tall in the world."

Boris Johnson remains the odds-on favourite at 1/2 for the job, while Michael Gove's price continues to drift following his cocaine admissions, leaving him chalked up as 20/1 outsider with the bookies now.

Jessica O'Reilly of Ladbrokes said: "Hunt is proving a popular bet with political punters at the moment and looks like the most serious threat to Johnson's stranglehold on favouritism."

Amber Rudd, who is seen as a “kingmaker” in Westminster, is now backing Mr Hunt for the leadership.

Ms Rudd criticised Mr Johnson, saying it was "not enough" to promise to take the UK out of the European Union by October 31 "if you don't have a plan behind it".

She also poured scorn on his pledge to raise the threshold on the top raise of tax to £80,000.

She said: “Candidates mustn't just make these wild comments without knowing how we're going to back them up.

"If you want to badge yourself as a One Nation Conservative you focus on tax cuts and investment in infrastructure to help the lowest paid and the people in most difficulty in all parts of this country. That’s not what he’s doing."