Alex Scott was seen heading home from another evening of filming for BBC’s Tokyo Olympics coverage on Tuesday, after becoming embroiled in an accent row with former minister Lord Digby Jones.
The presenter, 36, cut a casual figure in an all-black ensemble as she exited MediaCity in Manchester after recording the evening round-up with Clare Balding.
Over the weekend Alex shared a defiant tweet insisting she’s ‘proud’ of her east London upbringing after Lord Jones suggested she needed ‘elocution lessons.’
Low-key: Alex Scott was seen heading home after filming for BBC’s Tokyo Olympics coverage on Tuesday, after becoming embroiled in an accent row with Lord Digby Jones
Having sported a chic look to host the Olympics coverage, Alex changed into a more relaxed outfit as she left Salford.
The former Arsenal star has joined forces with Clare to present a look-back at the day’s action, with a current time difference meaning many events take place in the early hours of UK time.
On Saturday Alex hit back at Lord Jones, after he criticised her accent during her appearance on the BBC’s Olympics coverage.
Relaxed: The presenter cut a casual figure in an all-black ensemble as she exited MediaCity in Manchester after recording the evening round-up with Clare Balding
The ex-England star came under fire from Lord Digby Jones, a former Government minister, who suggested she needed ‘elocution lessons’ because she speaks with a London accent.
In a series of tweets, the crossbench peer in the House of Lords, said: ‘Enough! I can’t stand it anymore!
‘Alex Scott spoils a good presentational job on the BBC Olympics Team with her very noticeable inability to pronounce her ‘g’s at the end of a word.
Time to head home! Having sported a chic look to host the Olympics coverage, Alex changed into a more relaxed outfit as she left Salford
‘Competitors are NOT taking part, Alex, in the fencin, rowin, boxin, kayakin, weightliftin & swimmin.’
He went on to compare her to Sky’s Beth Rigby and the Home Secretary and added: ‘Can’t someone give these people elocution lessons?…On behalf of the English Language…Help!’
But Alex, who was awarded an MBE in 2017 and accrued 140 caps for England, shrugged off the attack and said negative tweets only spur her on.
Exiting: Her co-host Clare Balding was also seen making her exit after another day of filming
She said: ‘I’m from a working class family in East London, Poplar, Tower Hamlets & I am PROUD.
‘Proud of the young girl who overcame obstacles, and proud of my accent! It’s me, it’s my journey, my grit.’
She went on to urge young children ‘who may not have a certain kind of privilege in life’ to never allow judgements on class, accent or appearance to hold them back and added: ‘Use your history to write your story. Keep striving, keep shining & don’t change for anyone.’
Defiant: On Saturday Alex hit back at Lord Jones, after he criticised her accent during her appearance on BBC’s Olympics coverage
Alex concluded: ‘Tweets like this just give me the energy to keep going. See you tomorrow.. live on BBC baby.’
The comments from Lord Digby Jones and Alex’s subsequent response sparked a wave of support for the presenter with social media users.
One wrote: ‘You didn’t need to respond but you have and what a response girl!
‘Keep smashing it, you are a credit to the industry, you have worked hard all through your career whether it’s footy, punditry and now presenting! Keep doing what you do.’
Savage: The former Government minister suggested she needed ‘elocution lessons’ because she speaks with a London accent
Another added: ‘The privileged showing their distain for the working classes becoming successful.
‘Alex has achieved so much in her life and is a charming young lady and is doing a great job, so you had better get used to seeing her on your TV screen for a long time to come!’
A third added: ‘Never apologise for being from London. Never apologise for sounding like most Gooners.
‘You’re right to be proud, you were a great footballer and now you’re a great presenter. Keep being you x.’
Confident: But Alex, who was awarded an MBE in 2017 and accrued 140 caps for England, shrugged off the attack and said negative tweets only spur her on
Another user wrote: ‘Alex – you’re doing a great job. I think we’d all welcome a period of permanent silence from Digby, whatever his accent.’
Alex is part of the BBC’s presenting team covering the Tokyo Olympics. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the team are broadcasting from a studio in the UK this year.
Earlier this month, the sporting personality revealed that she will be commentating for FIFA 2022.
Announcing the news on Twitter, she wrote: ‘This is a big moment for FIFA, for football and women and girls across the world.
‘It’s also a big moment for me personally and professionally.
‘Whilst I am the first English-speaking female broadcaster to feature in FIFA, I will certainly not be the last.
‘I know this is just the start of stronger female footballing representation from @EASPORTSFIFA and the football community as a whole…’
Presenter Alex is part of the presenting team for the broadcaster’s Olympics coverage