BBC News’ painfully long on-air stuff-up

EVERYONE loves those moments when newsreaders don’t realise they’re live on air. It’s happened to this BBC newsreader for several torturous minutes.

EVERYONE loves those brief, frequently hilarious moments when newsreaders don’t realise they’re live on air.

Hello, Natasha Exelby.

But BBC News tested our love of newsreader gaffes to the absolute limit, leaving poor presenter Huw Edwards adrift for minutes on end during the 10pm bulletin this week.

Eyes downcast, shuffling his notes and absent-mindedly doodling on his papers, Edwards remained live on air unaware he was being watched by viewers for more than four torturous minutes.

The 10pm BBC News with Huw Edwards just began with a couple of minutes of silence. I was on the edge of my seat! pic.twitter.com/VjjpSNOP1c

— Hammad Khan (@HammadKhanFilm) June 20, 2017

As some on social media pointed out, with the slew of tragedies in the UK in recent weeks, watching a newsreader do bugger all was actually a great deal nicer than hearing the real headlines.

Don’t blame Edwards for this awkward blunder though — it was caused by a technical glitch, with an apology shown on the screen after a few minutes reading: “We are sorry for the break in this program and are trying to correct the fault.”

Viewers were quick to poke fun at what was happening on screen, though:

#bbcnews technical department right now pic.twitter.com/m38ZhdYj7P

— David Prior (@dmhprior) June 20, 2017

#bbcnews
It's Theresa May's turn as guest editor.

— ReportingPolitics (@report_politics) June 20, 2017

BREAKING: BBC News, apparently.

— Scott Reid (@scottreid1980) June 20, 2017

I'm not a fan of this Strong and stable BBC News.

— Kat Brown (@katbrown) June 20, 2017

I feel for the person who's on the receiving end of the letter Huw Edwards' drafting! pic.twitter.com/5HE3nV11zF

— Michael Gravesande (@OldBlackHack) June 20, 2017

Poor Huw Edwards just left sitting alone waiting for the #bbcnews to start pic.twitter.com/gOqv19o0sQ

— ☇Emma☇ (@electriccandles) June 20, 2017

The show’s editor, Paul Royall, shed some light on what had happened:

FYI technical system crash seconds before 10. Director had to switch to a back-up system ASAP. @huwbbc doing great job #BBCNewsTen

— Paul Royall (@paulroyall) June 20, 2017

Edwards took the gaffe in his stride — but tweeted after the show that he was looking forward to a well-earned beer.

I think I'm going to enjoy this little beauty after that Ten. Iechyd da! #bbcnewsten @BBCNews pic.twitter.com/FuU8zN6r5M

— Huw Edwards (@huwbbc) June 20, 2017