BBC Breakfast descended into unexpected tension on Friday morning as Paul Whitehouse clashed with his wife live on air, leaving viewers cringing at the “car crash” exchange.
Paul Whitehouse left BBC Breakfast viewers curling their toes as he took a swipe at his exasperated wife live on air – telling her, ‘It’s my turn to speak’
The 67-year-old comedian appeared alongside his wife, author and lecturer Dr Mine Conkbayir, 45, to discuss their podcast I’m ADHD, No You’re Not with hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty. But the interview quickly turned uncomfortable as Paul snapped at his wife mid-conversation.
The comedian was joined by his wife Dr Mine Conkbayir as they spoke to hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty about their podcast, I’m ADHD No You’re Not
Before the segment even began, Charlie, 63, hinted that there had already been a “moment” off-camera, explaining that the couple had argued about “who was going to sit where.”
Paul tried to brush it off with a strained laugh: “Everything’s just fine, for now,” joking that Charlie and Naga must deal with the same chaos “every morning.”
Mine continued professionally, opening up about being diagnosed with ADHD at 43. “It had been labelled as complex trauma, but something was still missing,” she said.
As she explained how their conversations inspired the podcast, Paul abruptly jumped in:
“Can I just say— I wasn’t that dismissive when you were diagnosed…”
Mine shot back: “It’s not about you, though, is it?”
Unfazed, Paul pushed on:
“Well, it is my turn to speak — if I could just get a word in!”
Viewers immediately recoiled, calling the interview “toe-curling,” “car-crash TV” and accusing Paul of dominating the conversation.
One viewer wrote:
“I usually like Paul Whitehouse… but that segment was a mess. Outdated comments about ADHD and constant interruptions.”
A second added:
“That weird ‘there’s nothing wrong with me’ comment… just no.”
A third vented:
“Please stop talking over each other — especially on an ADHD item.”
Trying to smooth things over, Paul clarified that the podcast title came from his initial scepticism — not dismissal:
“I didn’t just say ‘no you’re not.’ I was unsure. I know so many comedians who identify as ADHD now — or have been diagnosed. We went to an open mic and every comic opened with ‘Good evening, I’m ADHD.’ I thought: something’s happening here.”
Naga pressed further, asking whether Paul had ever considered he might have ADHD himself. He brushed the idea aside:
“No, never. There’s nothing wrong with me!”
Mine quickly softened the moment, calling him “a saint” who had been “very conscious” of the challenges she faced. But the tension simmered, prompting Naga to joke, “I do worry about you two rowing a lot…”
Mine responded dryly:
“Any marriage counsellors tuning in — do get in touch.”
The couple have been together for over 10 years, after meeting when Mine was 23 and working as a shop assistant. Though they share a daughter, Delilah, they have never married and prefer to live separately in North London.
Mine previously revealed Paul wears a commitment ring engraved with “I love you Barn,” referencing her nickname ‘barnacle’.
The interview aired shortly after another BBC Breakfast headline — Naga recounting an incident from her past where she punched a teenage boy who pinched her on a train. The presenter, now 50, said it was an “instant reaction” born of shock but admitted it was not the ideal response.
As for Paul and Mine, the awkward on-air clash has left viewers divided — and keen to tune in to the next episode of their podcast to see whether the debate continues.
