BBC Breakfast viewers were left less than impressed as Jon Kay and Sally Nugent interviewed members of The Darkness.
08:51, 09 Dec 2025
Viewers were less than impressed with the segment (Image: BBC)
BBC Breakfast viewers have criticised a “car crash” interview with members of The Darkness, as they chatted with Jon Kay and Sally Nugent this morning (Tuesday 9 December).
The rock band, established in 2000, is made up of the Hawkins brothers Justin and Dan, Frankie Poullain and Rufus Tiger Taylor. Their debut album, Permission to Land, was launched in 2003, and the group bagged three Brit Awards in 2004, before parting ways a few years later.
They announced reunion gigs in 2011, and continued to tour throughout the subsequent decade, performing at the VE Day 80 celebration in Horseguards Parade in May this year. The brothers appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning, ahead of their new Christmas hit, a reimagining of Mistletoe and Wine.
The Darkness appeared on BBC Breakfast(Image: BBC)READ MORE: ITV viewers fume over ‘easiest final question’ on The 1% Club spin-offREAD MORE: BBC Breakfast viewers say ‘this is heartbreaking’ as show interrupted for moving tribute
As the segment began, even before Sally and Jon could pose any questions, Justin was distracted by the BBC set, revealing behind-the-scenes technology beneath the BBC Breakfast coffee table.
“Nobody at home can see it but we can see what’s coming up, don’t read my messages,” Jon cautioned, reports the Express.
The interview proceeded with Justin and Dan discussing their new song, stating: “Mistletoe and Wine has been a staple between us for years, whenever Dan and I sing to each other during the Yuletide season, it’s always that number.
“Uncharacteristically, Dan takes the higher harmony and I take the lead, and it’s something we always sing.”
Dan added that their inspiration for the song came from receiving a Cliff Richard calendar when he was younger.
Justin continued: “Those are really good by the way, because every month, the face is exactly the same, it’s amazing. He’s so well preserved. And I think his music is timeless in the same way that his face is.”
Viewers branded the interview a “car crash”(Image: BBC)
During the conversation, Jon started to enquire whether the pair had received any feedback from Cliff Richard, but was cut off by Justin, who joked that Jon was about to ask if they’d had any “work done”.
The discussion proceeded with Sally enquiring whether Justin frequently checks his phone, before Justin tried to send a message to Cliff Richard live on air, saying: “Hey Sir Cliff, this is an amazing song, thanks so much for creating it and giving us so many seasonal memories with it, it’s been a pleasure to reimagine it in The Darkness way and I do hope you enjoy our iteration of your wonderful seasonal megasmash, Mistletoe and Wine.”
In addition, Justin referenced previous controversies he’s encountered, including undergoing a rehabilitation programme for alcohol and cocaine use.
He told the BBC Breakfast presenters: “Suddenly, we’re doing similarly sized things to what we were doing 20 years ago, and that’s the result of a lot of hard work.”
He added: “I took five years off because I made some lifestyle choices that were somewhat questionable and perhaps damaging to my health and I needed some me time, and it stalled the momentum of the band, but since I’ve come back to music, we’ve been working really hard.”
Justin Hawkins referenced his stint in rehab and made a dig at Oasis(Image: BBC)
When Sally asked Dan if he also took “me time”, Dan responded: “I had some children… definitely not me time.”
As Jon steered the conversation back to their tours, and highlighted a gig in Knebworth next year, Justin was interrupted by Sally as he attempted to say: “I always like to swap the O and the E.”
“Not this morning,” Sally interjected, before Justin made a subtle jibe at Oasis.
When Jon mentioned the rumours that the Oasis brothers would be performing at Knebworth, Justin responded: “To me, that’s exhilarating news, and I can’t wait to not go.”
At the conclusion of the segment, Sally noted that Justin was wearing hotel slippers, to which he responded: “Comfort is key,” adding: “Rather than buy a pair of shoes, I just wear the complimentary slippers from the hotel.”
Viewers were less than impressed with their appearance on BBC Breakfast, with one person branding it a “car crash interview” on X.
Sally Nugent hosted BBC Breakfast today with Jon Kay(Image: BBC)
“That interview was like pulling teeth. It was all about Justin,” another said.
“Car crash interview gotta love #TheDarkness,” one viewer wrote.
Another said: “This is an awful interview! Why going on if you don’t want to be there.”
Another commented: “Well this is excruciating,” as someone else wrote: “That’s enough of that.”
“That was soooo bad,” another said, as yet another viewer wrote: “Give me strength…”
Someone else, however, rushed to their defence, writing: “Somehow I’m thinking the humour by @thedarkness is a bit too high minded for @sallynugent and @jonkay01 interview on #bbcbreakfast – it’s hilarious hearing them make jokes and there is 0 reaction by the presenters.”
BBC Breakfast airs from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
