JK Rowling praises BBC News host who changed ‘pregnant people’ to ‘women’ live on air

JK Rowling has praised BBC News host Martine Croxall for changing trans-inclusive language on a teleprompter live on air.

In the clip, which aired live on the BBC and has been shared widely on social media, Croxall is seen reading from the teleprompter about new research about the number of heat-related deaths expected during the heatwave sweeping Britain.

The autocue prompted Croxall to warn “pregnant people”, a gender-inclusive term that reflects the fact some non-binary people and trans men can get pregnant, to take care in the hot weather but she replaced it with “women” while raising her eyebrows.

“Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, said the aged, pregnant people – women – and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions,” said Croxall, who has been with BBC News since 2001.

In response, Rowling – well known for her views on trans issues – wrote on X/Twitter: “I have a new favourite BBC presenter.”

I have a new favourite BBC presenter. https://t.co/l2gkThccty

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 22, 2025

Just days earlier, Rowling had said the BBC could “no longer be trusted to report truthfully or impartially on matters relating to sex” when it ran a story about Brook House, in West London, a UK-first tower block that will be for women only and which will be open to trans women as well as cis ones.

On her own X account, Croxall shared a screenshot from the video and the moment she widened her eyes, writing: “A huge thank you to everyone who has chosen to follow me today for whatever reason. It’s been quite a ride…”

Croxall has also responded to replies she received.

“If I wasn’t following you already, I would be now,” wrote one X user, to which the newsreader replied with a smiling face emoji.

“Are you a man-hating feminist, Martine?” another asked, prompting Croxall to reply: “What a strange question.”

Someone else said: “I’ll be really disappointed if this is AI”, to which Croxall confirmed “it isn’t”.

Another praised Croxall and said they “hope you don’t get hauled” before BBC bosses, to which the presenter said she was “braced”.

In March last year, Rowling came under fire for using Mother’s Day to mock gender-neutral inclusive language. And on International Women’s Day in 2022 she claimed the holiday would become “We Who Must Not Be Named Day” under a Labour government. 

In 2020, the author shared an article which discussed “people who menstruate”, again taking issue with the words used. 

“I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” she wrote.