Jenni Murray's race 'car crash': Cringeworthy moment BBC presenter MIXED UP her two Asian guests - asking Vietnamese film-maker about Japanese medical researcher's work

Murray was due to interview Japanese Riko Muranaka and Vietnamese Trinh T Minh-ha separately
Host believed she was interviewing Dr Muranaka and asked her about her work
Staff had mistakenly ushered Ms Trinh into the studio who appeared confused

Published: 11:53 GMT, 2 December 2017 | Updated: 11:49 GMT, 4 December 2017

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Woman's Hour presenter Jenni Murray was left red-faced after staff at the BBC show confused two Asian guests.

Throughout the course of her Radio 4 show yesterday the host had been scheduled to interview Japanese doctor Riko Muranaka and and Vietnamese film-maker Trinh T Minh-ha.

Dr Muranaka was due to be on first and Murray began the segment by introducing the medic, who, the presenter explained, is due to receive the John Maddox prize this year for her work promoting the safety of the HPV vaccine.

She then turned to her guest, whom she addressed as 'Riko', and said: 'Why did you pursue this subject?'

Radio mix-up: Dr Riko Muranaka, left, and right, film-maker Trinh T Minh-ha

What Murray was not aware of, however, was that staff had mistakenly Ms Trinh into the room instead of Dr Muranaka, who lecturers in medicine at Kyoto University.

After a few seconds of silence the host repeated her question to which the confused film maker replied: 'Which subject are you pointing to?'

Still unaware of the mistake, Murray answered: 'The subject of the HPV vaccine. The 20 articles that you wrote on it.'

'It's not me,' said Ms Trinh.

'I'm sorry?' Murray said.

'It's not me,' Ms Trinh repeated. 'I guess you got the wrong speaker.'

The host then asked: 'You are Dr Riko Muranaka?'

It was at that moment the penny dropped - Murray had realised the mistake.

'You're not Dr Riko Muranaka,' she said before informing listeners that 'somebody has brought in the wrong person for this interview'.

Woman's Hour presenter Jenni Murray

Dr Muranaka was then swiftly brought in while Ms Trinh was interviewed on a later part of the show. Murray apologised to listeners for the confusion.

The incident naturally sparked the interest of social media with one listener describing the interview as a 'car crash'.

Another Twitter user wrote: 'Oh my, major cock-up live on BBC Woman's Hour.'

While one person wrote: 'Perhaps all Asians the same to the Woman's Hour team.'

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, a BBC spokesman blamed Ms Trinh for the mistake, adding that she had stood up when a member of staff had come into the show's waiting area and called Dr Muranaka's name.

A representative for Ms Trinh confirmed this was the case.

The spokesman added: 'Guests are brought on air quickly in live radio and mistakes can happen.

'On this occasion the wrong guest came forward when the names were called for the studio and to suggest this was a mix-up for any other reason is incorrect.'