James Naughtie has apologised after referring to Caitlyn Jenner as “he” during a discussion on Radio 4′s flagship Today programme.
The US celebrity, formerly known as Bruce, made her debut as a transgender woman called Caitlyn in Vanity Fair earlier this week.
In just four hours she had gained a million followers on Twitter as images of the front cover photoshoot by Annie Leibovitz – showing long-haired Caitlyn in a strapless corset, legs crossed, sitting on a stool – went viral.
Caitlyn has previously talked of preferring the use of “he” but tweeted:
During a discussion on Today, veteran broadcaster James said: “Now, this is complicated. He used to be called Bruce but he’s now a woman.
“I realise some of you will never have heard of Kim Kardashian, let alone her stepfather, who was Bruce and is now a woman but, anyway, they are very well known on television.”
He added: “There’s not a million people going on because they are interested in discussing transgender issues, surely. They are on it because he/she is a celebrity.”
James was criticised on Twitter for referring to Caitlyn as he.
James later apologised on Twitter.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article