BBC News presenter horrified after being caught off-guard in live on-air blunder

04 May 2023 , 11:41

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BBC News presenter horrified after being caught off-guard in live on-air blunder

A BBC News presenter was left mortified on Thursday when the camera cut back to the studio quicker than she had expected.

The blunder occurred as newsreader Lukwesa Burak introduce a segment away from the studio, saying: "Around the world and across the UK, this is BBC News."

Viewers watched the BBC News logo flash up on screen before the programme cut to footage of a crowd listening to bagpipes player.

However, the screen prematurely cut back to the studio just as the newsreader lifted up both her arms, in what appeared to be a stretch, as she said: "Okay."

Lukwesa Burak didn't appear to realise she was still on air

Lukwesa immediately clocked the camera had returned to her live in the studio and the open-mouthed presenter seemed to be surpressing laughter as she looked down at her notes.

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The presenter sat in silence for 30 seconds before continuing with the programme but another technical blunder left viewers unable to hear what she was saying.

Eventually, viewers were able to hear Lukwesa as she read out: "One of our top stories on the programme and we've been monitoring a visit by Ukrainian President Zelensky in The Hague. We will bring you more of that shortly, here on BBC News.

"Also, bringing you more on the preparations from central London for King Charles III's Coronation which will be taking on Saturday."

BBC News viewers found the moment hilarious as TV critic Scott Bryan tweeted: "Quite the surreal minute on the BBC News Channel just now."

The newsreader Lukwesa Burak quickly realised her mistake

BBC broadcaster Victoria Valentine remarked: "There but by the grace of God goes every presenter of live broadcast in the history of news. Also, can we take a moment of appreciation for the wonder that is @LukwesaBurak."

Another joked: "When you think you’ve ended the Zoom call but haven’t," while a third added: "We’ve all NEARLY done that…"

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Charlotte McIntyre