Okay, I admit it.  It is not the most important question of our time.  When there are devastating wars occurring in Ukraine and Gaza; a cost of living crisis at home; and general elections on the horizon in both the UK and the US, it might even be seen as a trivial concern.  Nevertheless, I am finding it a distraction.  Try as I might to concentrate on the important issues of the day, instead, I keep on finding my attention drawn to the extraordinary trousers, which are being worn by the presenters of the BBC News at Ten.

Just within the last month, I have seen Reeta Chakrabarti, Jane Hill, Katya Adler, Sophie Raworth and Tina Daheley all wearing identical black flared trousers.  And not just any flares.  These are super flares.  Spectacular flares.  The widest of bell-bottoms.  Statement flares.

Have they all copied each other’s style?  Is this the current must-have look for all serious-minded journalists?  Is there a private competition being held amongst the newsreaders to see who can get away with wearing the most extravagant phat pants?

Or is the BBC so much on its uppers that it only has one pair of News at Ten trousers to go around?  If this is the case, I for one would gladly pay a few pence extra on top of the license fee in order for the Wardrobe Department to invest in a second pair.

I’ll know things are particularly dire the day when Clive Myrie comes out wearing the same pair.

© Stephanie Snifter

Stephanie Snifter will never be seen in trousers.