Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were branded “America’s sweethearts” by fans after their public display of affection at Super Bowl LVIII last weekend – but it seems BBC viewers aren't impressed with the corporation's attempts to jump on the trend.
Swift rose to fame in 2006 after she released her single, Tim McGraw, and spent eight weeks on the Billboard Country chart.
In 2009, she appeared on BBC Breakfast to promote her second album Fearless and spoke to presenters Louise Minchin and Jon Sopel about her British fans, her love of music and connecting with her audience.
She enthused: “I love it here! The fans have been so amazing showing up wherever we go and bringing me presents and stuff like that.
“I think I can hope for the best and I don’t really know what’s gonna happen and it’s kind of exciting starting fresh and starting over again.
"You know, I released my first album when I was 16 in the States so it’s kinda cool going back to that place where you don’t know what’s gonna happen," she pondered.
Taylor Swift on #BBCBreakfast
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) February 15, 2024
We've been searching through our archive and in 2009 the then 19 year old singer sat on the famous red sofa and told us she 'hoped for the best' and her 'goal was to tour the world' https://t.co/L8UI8evjMA pic.twitter.com/xMHTDEFNpq
Coming off the back of the Super Bowl excitement and seeing Swift and Kelce’s relationship flourish, BBC Breakfast aired the archived clip of Swift during their latest episode.
The show also dedicated a portion of its show on Thursday to 'The Taylor Swift Effect' as Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt analysed the economic effects Swift has when it comes to ticket sales etc.
The move caused an uproar amongst fans who couldn’t understand what the BBC's supposed “obsession” was with the country singer.
One confused X user commented: “You have a very unhealthy obsession with this woman! For the sanity of the viewers give it a rest."
“Wow. What useless information. The clip felt like a desperate time filler,” another user added before a third echoed: “I don't know why you just don't marry Taylor Swift.”
Taylor and Travis put on a display of affection during the Chiefs Super Bowl win
GETTY
Another viewer angrily noted: “Can't deal with BBC news making a whole news segment about Taylor Swift and her bf.
“Getting guest speakers on (a middle aged guy super fan and a PhD grad who has analysed the lyrics of Swift) ... Whilst completely failing to mention the fact there has been a mass shooting in KC.”
“Why the hell does BBC keep on about Taylor Swift. Sick of hearing her name continuously,” a sixth agreed.
However, not all the reception to the clip was negative as Sopel – who conducted the interview 15 years ago - praised its resurgence as he said: “Seems to have done ok since @louiseminchin and I gave her her big break. It’s a pleasure @taylorswift13.” (sic)
Charlie Stayt delivered an entire segment on Swift's impact on popular culture
BBC
This isn’t the first time this week that the BBC discussed Swift, as Ben Thompson slammed hers and Kelce’s PDA on the football field.
After watching a clip of their affection, sports reporter John Watson said: “ I mean it was it's a team sport but there really was just the sort of the focus on two people and that focus continues.”
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BBC viewers were left fuming at the old Taylor clip
BBC
Thompson scoffed and added: “A lot of PDA. Seems like a lot of PDA!" leaving co-star Sally Nugent to ask: “You don't like it do you.”
“It's all a bit much! It's like we get it you're together," he opined before Nugent slammed: "You boys are not romantic at all.”