BBC presenter Martine Croxall sparked a heated online debate after appearing to deliberately change a word while reading from the autocue during a live broadcast. While discussing research about people most vulnerable to heat-related illness during the UK’s soaring temperatures, Croxall was about to say “pregnant people” before correcting herself and saying “women” instead. She then appeared to signal that the change was intentional.

The moment quickly spread across social media, with viewers debating whether she was right to challenge the wording on the teleprompter. Croxall, who has worked for the BBC for decades, later thanked people for their support, writing that it had been “quite a ride.” She also acknowledged that her decision could have consequences and said she was prepared for a possible conversation with BBC management.

The wording “pregnant people” is sometimes used to be more inclusive of transgender and non-binary people who can become pregnant, while “pregnant women” is preferred by others who believe biological sex should remain central to the language used. Croxall has previously expressed strong views on sex and gender, including saying that “sex is binary and immutable.”

The incident also attracted attention from author J.K. Rowling, who publicly praised Croxall on social media, calling her a new favorite BBC presenter. Whether you see Croxall’s decision as a simple correction or a deliberate statement about language, the brief moment has reignited a much larger debate about sex, gender, and how news organizations choose their words.