BBC presenter issues grovelling apology in mortifying update on live TV swear

07 December 2023 , 11:29

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Maryam has apologised for the blunder (Image: BBC)

BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri has issued a grovelling apology after swearing live on air.

The well-known newsreader was caught with her middle finger up to the camera before reading out the latest bulletin. Footage of the moment went viral when Maryam, who seems like she doesn't know she's on air, is seen flashing her middle finger up before she reads the headlines.

She is seen raising her eyebrows and tilting her head as she flips off the camera for a few seconds as she comes on screen as the intro music comes to an end.

It looks like she doesn't realise for a few seconds that she is really on air as she quickly pulls her hand away, makes a serious face and starts reading out the news.

She then goes into a more serious tone as she says: "Live from London, this is BBC News," before reading out the rest of the headlines for the programme.

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Maryam swore at the camera (BBC)

Maryam has today issued an apology over the mistake as she was caught making the rude gesture to the camera. Taking to X, formally known as Twitter, she wrote: "Hey everyone , yesterday just before the top of the hour I was joking around a bit with the team in the gallery. I was pretending to count down as the director was counting me down from 10-0.. including the fingers to show the number.

"So from 10 fingers held up to one. When we got to 1 I turned finger around as a joke and did not realise that this would be caught on camera.

" It was a private joke with the team and I’m so sorry it went out on air! It was not my intention for this to happen and I’m sorry if I offended or upset anyone. I wasn’t ‘ flipping the bird’ at viewers or even a person really. It was a silly joke that was meant for a small number of my mates."

The awkward moment occurred on the world feed of BBC News at 12 noon UK time on Wednesday. The channel in the UK was showing Prime Minister's Questions, with some of the headlines relating to that.

Viewers have since taken to social media, with many finding the incident funny but also some saying it was unprofessional. One joked: "BBC News presenter gives viewers the middle finger. Haha! They really do hate us."

As a second declared: "This isn’t satire, an actual BBC News presenter got caught giving the middle finger live. Maryam Moshiri summing up the professionalism currently at the BBC."

While a third said that Maryam didn't need to apologise for the blunder, writing: "I mean it ain't that serious.. its hilarious. I don't think there is a need for apology. Thanks for meme tho."

Charlotte Everett