BBC Breakfast's Jon Kay missing from studio as fans fume 'how much is this costing licence payers?'

BBC Breakfast faced viewer outrage on Monday when Jon Kay was absent from the studio, with the presenter reporting from the US on election news instead.

At the programme's start, and Ben Thompson welcomed audiences from the red sofa before handing over to JOn via video link.

"Good morning, and welcome to Breakfast with Ben Thompson and Sally Nugent," greeted Sally.

Ben interjected with a "Good morning," swiftly moving on to the day's top stories. The feed then switched to Jon, broadcasting from Washington.

Broadcasting live, he said: "Good morning from Washington. We are here this week as this extraordinary race heads to a conclusion," reports .

His follow-up remark was: "Whoever wins, history is going to be made."

The choice to dispatch Jon to report stateside left viewers seething. Venting on X, one irate fan exclaimed: "We need sofa presenter in Washington because..." (sic).

Another viewer chimed in agreement: "@BBCBreakfast and @jonkay01 What is the point of having Jon Kaye in USA, sure you could have used one of your many current US correspondents who probably have more insight and obviously cost far less."

A third contributed: "So you are sending a reporter at great expense when you probably already have one over there."

Questioning the financial burden, one person asked: "How much is this costing the license payers? " Meanwhile, another echoed the sentiment, remarking: "Hey it's not a travelogue! . You shouldn't be there at licence payers expense."

"Licence fee money spent on foreign jollies for breakfast presenters," one viewer grumbled.

Despite the complaints, not all viewers were in agreement. One fan suggested on X: "Jon Kay 01... You should try to break America while you are over there... Get a job on Fox News!"

"Great idea," another viewer responded.

Elsewhere on the programme, Sally confirmed Breakfast would be showing a special interview with Chris Hoy on Tuesday's programme.

In a pre-recorded interview, Sally sat down with the Olympic cycling legend, who was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer last year. In the interview, He spoke with the host about finding hope even on the darkest days.

BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One.