A BBC News anchor has sparked significant controversy following her reaction to a young musician who named Jesus Christ as one of his heroes during a live interview. Geeta Guru-Murthy, 58, faced backlash after she seemingly “hissed” when 18-year-old musician DC3, whose real name is Daniel Chenjerai, mentioned Jesus Christ in his list of admired figures.
During the interview, which aired on March 16, 2024, Guru-Murthy asked DC3 to name his heroes. The artist responded with the names of several prominent figures, including British rapper Santan Dave and American artist Kendrick Lamar, before adding, “most of all, Jesus Christ.” Guru-Murthy’s audible reaction immediately drew attention, leading to a wave of criticism on social media platforms, particularly on X.
Users expressed outrage, alleging that her response demonstrated a bias against Christianity. Journalist Peter Lloyd tweeted, “BBC’s [Geeta Guru-Murthy] hisses at a man who says Jesus Christ is his hero. Imagine the outrage if this happened with Prophet Muhammad.” Another user questioned why Guru-Murthy reacted as if DC3 had used a racial slur. The incident quickly became a source of memes, with some users comparing her reaction to that of a vampire repelled by light or likening her to Golem from “The Lord of the Rings.”
DC3, who recently received nominations for two 2026 MOBO Awards, defended his statement on social media. In a post on X, he affirmed, “Jesus Christ is real,” and added in a follow-up, “The revolution will be televised in Jesus name.” His comments seem to resonate with many who felt his treatment was unjust.
In response to the backlash, Guru-Murthy addressed the controversy directly on X, stating, “I’ve seen there’s some discussion about the end of my interview with DC3 this week. For the record, I was simply breathing in before moving to end the interview. To suggest anything else is just untrue.” She tagged the BBC in her post, emphasizing her intention was misinterpreted.
A spokesperson for the BBC also commented on the incident, categorically denying that Guru-Murthy hissed at the mention of Jesus Christ. This official statement aims to clarify the network’s stance amid growing scrutiny over the anchor’s conduct during the interview.
The backlash raises questions about the treatment of religious expressions in media, particularly in a diverse society where multiple beliefs coexist. As discussions about bias in journalism continue, the incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding religious topics and the potential consequences for how they are presented in public forums.
