The Darkness brothers Justin and Dan Hawkins appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss their reworking of Mistletoe and Wine, but viewers branded the chaotic interview ‘excruciating’.
Meghna Amin Screen Time Reporter
08:58, 09 Dec 2025
BBC Breakfast viewers have criticised a “car crash” interview with members of The Darkness during this morning’s programme (Tuesday 9 December), as they joined presenters Jon Kay and Sally Nugent on the sofa. The rock band, established in 2000, features brothers Justin and Dan Hawkins alongside Frankie Poullain and Rufus Tiger Taylor.
Following the 2003 release of their debut album, Permission to Land, the group secured three Brit Awards in 2004 before parting ways several years later. After announcing comeback performances in 2011, they maintained an active touring schedule throughout the subsequent decade, including an appearance at the VE Day 80 celebrations at Horseguards Parade this past May.
The Hawkins brothers featured on BBC Breakfast this morning, promoting their latest festive offering—a reimagined version of Mistletoe and Wine. Before Sally and Jon could pose their opening questions, Justin became sidetracked by elements of the BBC studio setup, noticing production equipment 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.
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The conversation progressed with Justin and Dan discussing their latest release, explaining: “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 revealed that their fondness for the track stemmed from receiving a Cliff Richard calendar during his childhood. 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 were less than impressed with the segment(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 undergone any “work done”. The chat progressed with Sally questioning Justin about his phone usage habits, before Justin proceeded to compose a live message to Cliff Richard on air.
He said: “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.”
Viewers branded the interview a “car crash”(Image: BBC)
Additionally, Justin addressed previous challenges and scandals he’s encountered in the past, including undertaking a rehabilitation programme for alcohol and cocaine dependency. He revealed to 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 went on: “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.” When Sally asked Dan whether he also enjoyed “me time”, Dan responded: “I had some children… definitely not me time.”
As Jon steered the discussion back towards their upcoming tours, mentioning a performance at Knebworth next year, Justin attempted to quip: “I always like to swap the O and the E. “Not this morning,” Sally interjected swiftly, before Justin delivered a cheeky jab at Oasis. When Jon brought up speculation about the Gallagher brothers potentially performing at Knebworth, Justin remarked: “To me, that’s exhilarating news, and I can’t wait to not go.”
Justin Hawkins referenced his stint in rehab and made a dig at Oasis(Image: BBC)
Towards the conclusion of the segment, Sally observed that Justin was sporting hotel slippers, prompting him to explain: “Comfort is key,” before 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.
“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.
