Greg James couldn't resist having a cheeky poke at his BBC colleague after a presenter's awkward Donald Trump blunder.
Rajini Vaidyanathan this morning accidentally labelled the former US President 'Donald Tramp' before quickly correcting herself. She carried on a like a pro but, needless to say, the clip of her howler quickly made its way onto social media.
It comes days after BBC News journalist Gareth Barlow was forced to hold his hands up when he made an gaffe just moments into a live broadcast. Greg sarcastically said it's been a good time for the news readers, but remarked that it was great to see everyone is human.
"It’s been a really good couple of weeks for BBC News," he said on this morning's show. "I really like it when you get to know the real BBC newsreader and you get to know they’re not always slick, they’re not always news robots but real, fun people.
"Thank you to the person who’s just messaged in to tell me ‘Greg, Greg - something’s happened on the news. On closer inspection, this is actually the BBC News channel and it’s Rajini Vaidyanathan who used to be on Newsbeat here. She’s an amazing journalist, she’s so so good. I love Rajini. She’s doing the news today and Donald Trump is in the news, but she decides to call him Donald Tramp."
BBC announces five main presenters for new TV channel - as major stars snubbedThe reporter was telling viewers about the alarming moment US Senator Mitch McConnell froze during a recent press conference in America. She told viewers: "Now there are health concerns about the top Republican Senator Mitch McConnell. He froze while answering a reporter's question during a press conference in Kentucky."
Then she made the howler – but Rajini is in good company after Gareth Barlow's mistake last week. During the opening line of his broadcast, he had said: "Hello! I'm watching..." before realising his error and quipping to himself: "I'm watching BBC News? I'm Gareth Barlow." Correcting himself, he then added: "You're watching BBC News."
He took to social media after the incident and joked about what had happened with his followers. Sharing the clip, he wrote alongside it: "Can someone please remind me who’s watching the news…" Taking to the reply section, fans joked about his error. One wrote: "You are 'kind of technically' watching the news. I mean your watching the packages and responding to output so you're right. Been one of those days... At least it's not the tech having one of those days (which is the worse option)," with Gareth replying: "I’m going to take your interpretation of the situation and run with it."
Another penned: "You were watching BBC News… and hosting it. Not entirely incorrect haha," whilst a third added: "And you were all prepared and so raring to go....lol. It was an adorable little flub and you recovered so well with a great smile. You're an old pro. Wonderful to see you on our screens again. Best wishes from Western Canada."