BBC news anchor caught giving middle finger on air: 'It was meant to be a private laugh'
In case you missed it, a news anchor for international broadcasting media BBC News made rounds online when she was accidentally caught live on air holding up her middle finger to the camera. Now, the full clip has been released, giving audiences context on what led to the bizarre moment.
Chief BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri was caught by viewers doing the gesture with a goofy smile on her face as the broadcast began.
After realizing that everything was already being aired live, she immediately composed herself and switched to being a professional.
However, it was too late as Moshiri's apparent rude gesture was already recorded and seen by viewers. While some had their funny bones tickled by the incident, others criticized the news presenter's professionalism.
The video of the incident has since resurfaced, but this time, it shows the entirety of the clip leading up to the viral moment.
Moshiri was actually counting down to the second that everything would air live using six of her fingers, and the middle one being the last one to go was meant to simply be a private joke for the crew.
Full video of the BBC Reporter flipping-off the camera... makes sense now? pic.twitter.com/r42wWOrQAx
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 15, 2023
"So someone released the full video! It wasn’t the BBC who released this and it certainly wasn’t me! But in a way I think I’m glad this is out there, as it shows I was having a bit of a joke with the crew during the countdown," Moshiri explained in a post on X.
"Again, so sorry it went out on air. It was meant to be a private laugh," she added.
So someone released the full video !
— Maryam Moshiri (@BBCMaryam) December 15, 2023
It wasn’t the BBC who released this and it certainly wasn’t me! But in a way I think I’m glad this is out there, as it shows I WAS having a bit of a joke with the crew during the countdown.
Again, so sorry it went out on air. It was meant… pic.twitter.com/94pATaKP7i
Moshiri previously penned an apology on her X account when her unexpected blunder first went viral.
"I was pretending to count down as the director was counting me down from 10 to zero, including the fingers to show the number. So from 10 fingers held up to one. When we got to one, I turned [my middle] finger around as a joke and did not realize that this would be caught on camera," she wrote.
"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," she continued.
Many of Moshiri's followers on X sent her supportive messages, saying that she didn't need to apologize for the incident.
"Don't apologize. You were clearly having fun with the crew and I doubt you offended anyone. I actually thought it was brilliant and it made me laugh," one user wrote.
"No need to apologize, accidents happen. Glad you have fun at work," another one commented.