UK Health Minister Jon Ashworth’s daughter interrupts him mid-live interview with the BBC

The UK politician was in the middle of tearing into the government’s pandemic policies, when his young daughter decided to abruptly change the subject.

British politician Jon Ashworth has become the latest victim of a working-from-home gaff, after his daughter Annie stole the show in the middle of an interview with the BBC.

The UK’s Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care was criticising the government’s lack of pandemic sick pay when his youngest daughter barged in, smiling and waving to the camera.

“Failure to offer sick pay has perhaps been the most monstrous failure of this government’s response to the virus throughout,” he managed to say before his daughter entered the screen.

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Parents may recognise Mr Ashworth’s “now isn’t a good time” face. Twitter: @TomHourigan

After requests by the newsreader to introduce his daughter, Mr Ashworth said: “Her name is Annie and she’s very excited. She’s very excited because it was Leicester City at school today and it’ll be Leicester City at the Cup final tomorrow,” managing to get in a plug for his football club.

According to several Twitter comments, the minor gaff has made his “instantly” more likeable to the public, in a PR move no campaign could have orchestrated.

“I have no idea who he is and I instantly found him charming and relatable,” wrote one user.

“More of this in politics please. The kids are alright!” tweeted another.

“Rather lovely to see politicians humanised by accident, rather than by design,” shared another.

My favourite thing about Zoom is when kids and animals gate crash! Top job Annie! Well played @JonAshworth ☺️

— Sarah Needle (@SarahNeedle1872) May 14, 2021

Annie, you're a star! https://t.co/SlnV5Z7mTx

— Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) May 14, 2021

This however, wasn’t the first time Mr Ashworth was interrupted live on air. Speaking to the BBC in April 2020 over the Easter weekend, his two daughters Annie and Gracie interrupted him to show him their Easter gift from their grandmother.

At the time, the move earnt him the title of ‘BBC dad,’ as Mr Ashworth attempted to explain to his daughters that: “I’m on the TV girls,” with his pleas falling on deaf ears. Eventually, they were forced to cut the interview short.

Understandably, it was the Easter weekend of 2020 and large Easter egg hunts were strictly off the agenda. Picture: BBC News.

Prior to global work from home orders, the ‘BBC dad’ was a reference to the viral BBC interview with Professor Robert Kelly. Speaking about the very serious geopolitical situation between North and South Korea, Professor Kelly’s two children barged into the room and attempted to get his attention. They were followed by his wife, Jung-a Kim, who was forced to cut their on-air appearance short.

Professor Robert Kelly, aka BBCDad, his kids and Ninja wife. ❤️ this. #TwitterMomentsOfTheDecadepic.twitter.com/6jy4pbLWaa

— Do Maitri (@DominicMaitri) December 1, 2019

Alas four years later, rogue children seem to be one of the more innocent professional mishaps which have occurred over video call. See: X-rated slip ups, cat filter fails and other technological accidents.