Clive Myrie, renowned BBC News at Ten anchor and Mastermind host, recently addressed the challenges he faced while presenting with an eye infection. The 60-year-old journalist shared that he was discouraged from wearing an eye patch during broadcasts, as it was feared that such a visible cover-up would divert viewers’ attention from the news.
Reflecting on the pressures of delivering a flawless bulletin, Myrie emphasized the importance of the BBC as a historical record for significant events like Brexit. “There’s an element of fear because you can’t afford to mess up on the 10 o’clock news,” he explained. “You are part of the furniture in someone’s home at that fixed moment, so any distraction, like pink hair or an eye patch due to a stye I had before Christmas, is not allowed because viewers won’t concentrate on what you’re saying.”
Myrie described the experience of presenting with a stye as “horrible” and admitted to feeling extremely self-conscious about the visible lump on his eyelid. Discussing this candidly on the Fortunately… with Fi and Jane podcast in 2021, he said, “I wasn’t even reading the autocue properly because I was so aware of it.” Although the idea of wearing an eye patch was entertained, it was ultimately vetoed by BBC management.
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Despite receiving no complaints about his eye condition, Clive revealed that he has unfortunately been subjected to racial abuse. Last January, his droopy eyelid became a topic of concern among viewers, prompting him to clarify via social media that the issue was due to a minor infection and not serious. “I did think about wearing an eye patch, but the boss said no! A bit like Long John Silver. He wasn’t having any of it! Cheers,” Myrie humorously responded.
Medical experts have weighed in on the condition, known as ptosis, which involves drooping of the eyelid and can be caused by muscle weakness or skin stretching, especially as people age. Dr. Alasdair Scott noted ptosis is more common in individuals over the age of 70, affecting potentially millions across the UK.
Apart from his news duties, Clive Myrie is also set to return with the latest episode of his travel series, Clive Myrie’s Italian Road Trip, airing on BBC Two. The program follows his journey along the picturesque Amalfi Coast, exploring Italian culture and cuisine—offering viewers a delightful cultural experience beyond the newsroom.