Sky News host Mark Austin was left in a flap during a live broadcast when he accidentally called a guest ‘daddy’ in the middle of a broadcast.
The 64-year-old broadcaster was hosting live news on Friday while there were updates on the police investigation relating to escaped terror suspect Daniel Khalife - who was finally arrested again in London on Saturday. The host was helming his daily show, The News Hour with Mark Austin, which airs on Sky News at 5pm on weekdays.
And while he was reviewing updates about escaped terror suspect Daniel Khalife, who has been suspected of spying on behalf of Iran and was on the run for four days after escaping jail before being rearrested, Mark was joined by policing commentator Danny Shaw to discuss the investigation. But when it came to introduction Danny, Mark suffered a slip of the tongue - that caused quite an embarrassing on-air moment.
As the policing commentator joined Mark in the studio via video link, Mark introduced him saying: “Let’s bring in policing commentator Danny Shaw, who joins us now. Good evening, daddy.” Immediately realising his error, Mark corrected himself, saying hurriedly: “Uh, Danny. Thank you for being with us!”
While Mark was able to correct his blunder, it was already too late as viewers noticed the moment and took to social media to laugh at his misfortune. One viewer, commenting online, laughed: “Mark Austin just called this man ‘Daddy’ during the man hunt coverage on Sky News.”
Sky News host chokes up as missing Nicola Bulley's family make emotional pleaWhile another, seemingly feeling Mark’s embarrassment, said: "Not Mark Austin calling someone daddy instead of Danny on Sky News." And a further amused viewer wrote: “I could watch Mark Austin saying hello to his Daddy all day.”
Another viewer took a philosophical approach to Mark's mishap, suggesting: "Bit of a Freudian slip from Mark Austin on #skynews just now when interviewing someone about the #DanielKhalife escape." While another viewer claimed to have heard another mishap during the broadcast, suggesting with a tone of panic: "there was also a moment when interviewing the inspector outside NSY it sounded like ‘escapees’ plural was mentioned."
The host himself managed to brush off his blunder and went through his broadcast without further incident.
Mark has enjoyed a prolific news presenting career, helming the ITV Evening News, alongside Mary Nightingale, and then co-hosting the ITV News at Ten, alongside Julie Etchingham. He has presented The News Hour with Mark Austin since September 2018.
Over the course of his career, Mark has won 6 BAFTA awards and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Bournemouth University in November 2008.