BBC presenter responds after sharing fake news Newcastle star got stuck in maze

BBC presenter Melvin Odoom joked that he "lied to the nation" after sharing a fake story about Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock live on air.

The 45-year-old took his misguided information from a social media post by Francis Chipp - an X account known for posting fake news - last week.

2 BBC radio presenter Melvin Odoom joked he 'lied to the nation' after accidentally sharing a fake story Credit: Getty

2 The presenter claimed that Joe Willock had been stuck in a maze for six hours Credit: Getty

It read: "EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock , 26, had to be rescued from York Maze after a distress call to emergency services was made at around 5pm on Tuesday.

"He had been lost in the UK's largest maze for approximately six hours."

Speaking live on Radio 1 alongside co-hosts Rickie Haywood-Williams and Charlie Hedges, Odoom explained: "Do you know Newcastle player Joe Willock? He plays in midfield.

"He was rescued from a York maze recently after a distress call was made to emergency services at around 5pm. He was stuck in this maze for around six hours.

"It's the UK's largest maze so he went in as a little trip and he got lost within it."

Haywood-Williams responded: "Something similar has happened to me, I was lost and I couldn’t find my way out, it was a really big maze on a farm in Kent.

"If you don’t take it seriously you can be in there for a really long time."

The duo were then informed later in the show that it was a hoax.

Hedges revealed: "I am sorry to let you know this, but we are being flooded messages from people who are saying you have had an absolute mare talking about football.

"There is apparently this account where this guy makes up fake news all the time and sees who chats about it. Sorry about that."

In response, Odoom joked: "So that never happened to Joe at all? To be fair it was not a factual site. I feel like I have lied to the nation."

Willock joined Newcastle team-mates Will Osula, Kieran Trippier and Jamaal Lascelles in Dubai for a training camp during the international break.

The Magpies currently sit 11th in the Premier League table with nine points from seven games.

Premier League Newcastle United Joe Willock

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