LONDON, April 8 (UPI) -- British television viewers Monday criticized BBC announcers without black neckties, a sign of respect, on special programs about the late Margaret Thatcher.
The former prime minister's death was announced shortly after noon Monday, but BBC News Channel and BBC One announcers provided bulletins and extended reports without wearing the black neckties traditionally worn when reporting a prominent person's death, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph noted.
A Twitter comment read, "Would it be too much for the BBC news readers to put on a black tie and show some respect?"
Another read, "No black tie for BBC News Channel presenter? Surprising."
The BBC received numerous telephoned complaints from its audience over the handling of the announcement, made worse by rival network ITV's announcers' adherence to the tradition, the newspaper noted.
