Viewers put off their breakfast by BBC presenter's psychedelic blouse

The BBC Breakfast presenter Kate Silverton had to apologise for wearing an outfit which put viewers off their cornflakes.

She appeared on the sofa yesterday in a green and yellow psychedelic blouse with a matching scarf. Viewers contacted the BBC switchboard to complain.

The presenter said: "My blouse has divided opinion. I apologise if it has made you turn down the contrast on your set.

"It has divided opinion and I do apologise to those of you that hate it."

Her co-presenter Bill Turnbull maintained a polite silence about her attire.

Silverton, 35, is a presenter for BBC News 24 as well as BBC Breakfast.

Last year her News 24 co-host, Philip Hayton, left the BBC after 37 years, claiming that he could not stand working with her. Previously she hosted the home improvement show Big Strong Boys and the religious programme The Heaven and Earth Show.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "It is usual to get feedback from viewers on whether or not they like what a presenter is wearing."