BBC Breakfast descended into festive chaos on Friday morning when presenter Charlie Stayt was forced to plead with a government minister to stop talking about Brussels sprouts during a live interview.
From Policy to Pigs in Blankets
The amusing incident occurred on 19 December 2025, as Trade Minister Chris Bryant appeared on the BBC One programme. Hosted by Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty, the segment was initially intended to discuss the government's Employment Rights Bill.
However, as the interview drew to a close, Stayt posed a light-hearted, seasonal question: "Just a yes or no, Brussels sprouts with your Christmas dinner?" This simple query unlocked an unexpectedly passionate and detailed culinary discourse from the minister.
A Minister's Festive Food Monologue
Instead of a brief answer, Minister Bryant launched into a personal anecdote. "I love Brussels sprouts, but I'm like, the only person in my family who likes them," he confessed, revealing he ends up cooking and eating them all himself.
He recounted a festive family tale, explaining that when he tried to serve one to his mother-in-law a few years ago, she compared the experience to "the 1930s." Stayt dryly noted, "That wasn't a yes or no answer, but I appreciate it."
Undeterred, the minister continued his advocacy. "I'm completely and utterly in favour of Brussels sprouts," he declared, before sharing his preferred cooking method: "I prefer them roasted, and I think sometimes they're better with cranberries."
"Can We Please Cut the Minister Off?"
As Bryant then pivoted to sharing his expertise on perfecting pigs in blankets, co-host Naga Munchetty began to giggle. A visibly amused Charlie Stayt finally intervened.
"Our time is up!" Stayt interjected. "You have to stop talking about Brussels sprouts, you really do." When the minister protested, "You started it!" Stayt chuckled back, "Yeah, but I asked for a yes or no, and you just gave me that."
In a moment of mock exasperation, Stayt turned to the production team and quipped, "Can we please cut the minister off?" Munchetty, laughing, reminded Bryant, "You have got other broadcasters to talk to."
As the segment concluded and the minister was finally moved on, Naga Munchetty summarised the bizarre interview, laughing: "That was one of the best answers from ministers we've had." The episode of BBC Breakfast aired from 6am on BBC One.
