Watch: BBC World News presenter has an awkward opening, and people love it
‘Pick a camera, any camera.’
Folks, I have found it: the best Hurricane Irma reporting anywhere on the globe pic.twitter.com/QWzc7L8K0t
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) September 10, 2017
Tom Donkin of BBC World News hand-delivered an awkward moment or three on live TV news.
The newsreader was all set to present the 2 am bulletin, specifically a report on Hurricane Irma on Saturday – or so he thought. Following the opening credits, Donkin was seen sprinting across the studio and going off camera. This was then followed by 12 agonising seconds of studio silence while Donkin remained off camera.
Eventually, the presenter walked back and confidently took position, set to start the report, when he realised he was still in front of the wrong camera. He finally walked to the actual spot with a look of sheer horror on his face, but quickly recovered and confidently began the report.
He may have found reassurance in the fact that it was a late-night bulletin in the UK, which wouldn’t attract many viewers. However, since it was BBC World News, the bulletin was broadcast to American audiences at prime time, 9 pm. And, unluckily for him, Andrew Roberts recorded the clip on his phone and posted it on Twitter.
😂 wonderful car crash opening to BBC World News just now. Pick a camera, any camera 😛 pic.twitter.com/5XxrdwQXcr
— Andrew Roberts 💬 (@AndyMRoberts) September 9, 2017
To henceforth be known as "doing a Donkin"
— Nelson Cook (@N3LTR0N) September 9, 2017
That look. A look of pure horror. You can almost hear the producers groan in disappointment in the background.
— Diana Pitchers (@DianaPitchers) September 10, 2017
Roberts, however, also tweeted an apology to Donkin.
correct position far too late when he was already live and on screen. Sorry @TomDonkinBBC , I didn't expect this to go viral like it has 😳
— Andrew Roberts 💬 (@AndyMRoberts) September 10, 2017
The presenter turned out to have a sense of humour too.
Bit of a perfect storm mate of camera fail - this stuff happens with live TV. Never had so much attention albeit odd attention.
— Tom Donkin (@TomDonkinBBC) September 10, 2017
Thanks for tuning in apart from some haywire cameras and lost guest - all went swimmingly!
— Tom Donkin (@TomDonkinBBC) September 9, 2017