Newscaster Emily Maitlis offends BBC viewers with flash of leg

The glamorous presenter decided to liven up proceedings during a televised trailer for the BBC's 10pm news.

Perched casually on the edge of her circular desk, her stilettos dangling above the studio floor, the 36-year-old blonde swung one toned leg over the other.

Although she was wearing a relatively demure navy skirt-suit, Miss Maitlis's flash of shapely calf caused a stir among more conservative viewers who saw the 9pm trailer on Monday.

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Sitting pretty: Emily Maitlis perches on her desk for the BBC1 news trailer, criticised by viewers for showing too much leg

By last night more than 30 complaints had been posted on the BBC's message boards by disgruntled licence fee-payers.

Miss Maitlis's style of presenting was described as "indulgent" and "completely inappropriate". One viewer complained that she was "flashing her legs" while another added: "It is thoroughly unprofessional and obviously meant to be titillating. It is giving out all the wrong messages."

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Stepping out: Emily in a very little black number

Another contributor described it as a "gimmick to attract attention" while one unfavourably compared Miss Maitlis with one of the BBC's other female newsreaders, Sophie Raworth.

"Let's hope it doesn' t become a permanent feature," he wrote. "I don't remember Sophie Raworth ever indulging in this conduct."

Another viewer wrote: "Why is this woman perched on a desk with her skirt hitched up when she is supposed to be a 'serious' newsreader. What will it be next? Huw Edwards with a rolled-up trouser leg?"

Another said: "I'll start complaining when Dermot Murnaghan starts doing the same in a string vest and boxers."

Likening Miss Maitlis's informal style to the hit sitcom featuring a couch-potato family, one viewer wrote: "When do we get the news Royle Family-style, sat on a sofa with fish and chips on their laps?"

Although the BBC declined to comment on its newsreader's controversial appearance yesterday, this is not the first time the presenter has caused a sartorial stir.

Last year, the Cambridge graduate and mother of two - who speaks five languages including Mandarin - suffered a wardrobe malfunction while attending the Royal Television Society awards.

She was photographed spilling out of a designer dress after stooping to pick up her handbag. The black-and-white satin creation barely concealed her ample charms.

Other daring ensembles - including one midriff-exposing number - have confirmed her place in the BBC's socalled "glossy posse", also consisting of Natasha Kaplinsky and Miss Raworth.

Miss Maitlis had assumed the more orthodox position behind her desk when she read the news at 10pm on Monday. Viewers who disliked her trailer display will be comforted by the knowledge that it is unlikely to be repeated much in the future on BBC1.

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The 36-year-old blonde swung one toned leg over the other

A regular presenter on Newsnight and the BBC's News 24, she only anchors the 10pm news when the programme's usual hosts, Huw Edwards and Fiona Bruce, are unavailable.

The controversy follows accusations that the BBC's news is continuing to dumb down. Last month the broadcaster confirmed it was introducing a news bulletin lasting only one minute.