BBC Weather Presenter's On-Air Outfit Ignites Social Media Debate
BBC Weather presenter Elizabeth Rizzini has found herself at the centre of a social media storm this week after viewers of the Six O'Clock News became convinced they caught a glimpse of her 'lace stockings' during a broadcast. The 49-year-old presenter, known for her otherwise sophisticated and glamorous wardrobe choices, inadvertently sparked hundreds of comments and speculation across various platforms.
The Broadcast That Captured Attention
During Wednesday's weather forecast segment, Rizzini wore a sleek denim zip-up dress paired with elegant beige studded heels. However, it was what appeared to be a suggestive hint of a black band around the top of her leg that truly captured viewers' attention and plunged social media into what many described as a 'frenzy'. The timing proved particularly notable as it followed closely on the departure of fellow weather presenter Carol Kirkwood from the BBC.
Reactions on social media platform X ranged from humorous to astonished. One viewer joked that 'all the dads have had to have a lie-down in a darkened room whilst they recover', while another quipped they had 'never seen stocking tops on the BBC before'. A third comment suggested the display 'certainly brightens up dull weather', highlighting how the moment had captured public imagination.
Alternative Explanations Emerge
Despite the wave of speculation, several women offered more practical explanations for what viewers might have seen. One commenter suggested the reality was 'probably more mundane', explaining 'sorry to rain on your parade but suspect they are cycling shorts or thermals. Never seen natural covered stockings with black tops.' Another proposed it could have been a technical thigh strap used to help hold her microphone in place during the broadcast.
The incident has highlighted how even the most routine television broadcasts can suddenly become talking points when viewers perceive something unexpected. For Rizzini, who has worked at the BBC for fourteen years according to her LinkedIn profile and is Met Office trained, this represents an unusual departure from her normally uncontroversial weather presentations.
A Life Beyond the Weather Map
Elizabeth Rizzini's professional and personal life reveals a woman of considerable accomplishment beyond her weather presenting duties. The London-based presenter holds a Master's degree focusing on environmental journalism and climate change, demonstrating her academic credentials in the field she reports on daily. Remarkably, she also won Celebrity Mastermind last year with her specialist subject being the singer Celine Dion.
Her winnings from the quiz show were donated to Hospice in the Weald, which cared for her late cousin Jo before she passed away in 2021. Elizabeth shared heartfelt sentiments about this decision, stating 'Jo was full of life and joy, always there for big moments in my life. The Hospice allowed her to have the dignified, comfortable passing she wished for, surrounded by love.'
Relationship with BBC Security Correspondent
Rizzini has been in a relationship with BBC Security correspondent Frank Gardner since 2020. Gardner, who was paralysed in an Al-Qaeda attack in 2004, has spoken warmly about their relationship in interviews. The couple reportedly met in a lift at work, with Gardner telling the Daily Mail in 2020 'I'd always admired how she was on camera and the way she presents the weather in such an engaging way.'
He further described her as 'wonderful company' and noted that 'even after all my Middle Eastern travels, a simple holiday in Greece with her recently seemed refreshingly adventurous.' The fifteen-year age difference between them has become a source of amusement, with Gardner revealing to the Radio Times that 'she loves ribbing me about the fact I'm older than her. That is a great source of amusement for her.'
Professional Routine and Background
In a 2017 BBC article, Rizzini revealed the demanding schedule behind her weather presenting role. She typically wakes at 3am and arrives at the office by 4.15am. By 5.30am she's in the studio recording forecasts, and half an hour later she enters what she describes as her 'red padded radio cupboard at the back of BBC London' to begin what she calls 'the long radio trawl'.
Back and forth meetings and recordings keep her busy throughout the morning and into the afternoon, with her working day typically concluding around 2pm. Despite the early starts and packed schedule, Elizabeth has stated 'Yes, it's busy but when you love your job it never feels like work!'
International Background and Language Skills
Growing up in Croydon, Elizabeth went on to enjoy living and studying abroad in both France and Spain. Her international experiences have equipped her with fluency in both Spanish and Italian, the latter being particularly relevant as her ex-husband is Italian. The couple, who divorced in 2016, share two daughters together, with the youngest born in 2014.
On social media, Elizabeth shares glimpses of her life beyond broadcasting, including posts about her pet cat, her work, and the various destinations she and Frank have travelled to together, such as Mexico and Lanzarote. She has also been a VIP attendee at prestigious events including Wimbledon (where she enjoyed the view from the Royal Box), the Royal Albert Hall, and London's Trinity House, where she met Princess Anne.
The recent social media reaction to her broadcast appearance serves as a reminder of how television personalities' every on-screen moment can be scrutinised and discussed in the digital age. For Elizabeth Rizzini, it represents an unexpected moment in what is otherwise a distinguished broadcasting career marked by professional dedication, academic achievement, and a high-profile relationship with a respected BBC colleague.
