Naga Munchetty admits 'it's really frightening' as BBC issues warning to viewers

BBC Breakfast issued a warning to viewers and parents ahead of Halloween on Friday's episode.

During the latest instalment, host said: "It's less than a week until Halloween and parents are being warned that some fancy dress costumes could pose a serious risk to children."

They then showed an eye-opening segment which highlighted recent government findings that 80% of costumes bought from a range of online market places fail basic safety standards. Working with Yorkshire Fire service during the segment, a fire fighter showed the difference between shop bought and online costumes.

The fire fighter pointed out that UK high street, which includes supermarket bought costumes, have safety standards on the labels, whereas online marketplace purchases either have no labels and definitely no safety standards labelled.

Attempting to set fire to the shop bought halloween costumes, the fire fighter pointed out that due to the items being fire retardant, they don't really catch at all and extinguish themselves.

However, in comparison, the costumes bought from the online market place caught fire easily and continued to burn - a stark difference to the shop bought items. One online purchase caught on fire particularly quick, prompting the fire fighter to comment on this and the fact there was a nasty smell due to the flame stripping the costume.

Issuing advice, parents and viewers were warned to buy from a trusted brand and try to buy costumes from an own website as opposed to a marketplace. Despite some online purchases not setting on fire, the fire fighter pointed out it was a gamble and no matter what you put your child in this Halloween always keep away from naked flames.

After the segment, host Naga, 49, said: "It's really frightening when you see those images and you see what those costumes [do]."

It comes as host hasn't embraced a full Halloween costume since a harrowing event in 2014. The fateful night that changed everything saw her then eight-year-old daughter Matilda suffer serious burns after coming into contact with a candle in her fancy dress costume while they were out trick or treating.

Matilda's costume caught fire in an instant, resulting in severe damage to her legs, and their neighbour subsequently acquired second-degree burns trying to halt the rapidly spreading flames. In the wake of the nightmare, Claudia briefly stepped back from her Strictly duties as her family grappled with the ordeal. Halloween remains a holiday that brings no joy to Claudia.

She shared her pain in an interview with The Mail: "I don't like Halloween because [a few] years ago it turned out our screams were real. She 'went up' is the only way I can describe it - it was a spark, and she screamed out for me." She further recounted the traumatic episode: "It was like those horrific birthday candles that you blow out and they come back. It was really fast. It was definitely life-changing for me."

Following the harrowing event, Claudia triumphed in her campaign to make children's fancy dress costumes safer.

BBC Breakfast continues on weekdays at 6am on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer.