BBC News presenter’s accidental middle finger gesture becomes part of cheeky New Year countdown clip
BBC News presenter Maryam Moshir gained online attention when she playfully made a gesture, 'flipping the bird', during a live broadcast with her colleagues. Now, this moment has been incorporated into the countdown to 2024.
Brits welcomed the New Year with a viral clip featuring BBC News presenter Maryam Moshir, who inadvertently flashed an offensive gesture while counting down on her fingers live on air.
The amusing footage, shared by journalist Scott Bryan, captured a crowd at The Yard Theatre in London celebrating New Year’s Eve at Knickerbocker’s party, joyously chanting the countdown to 2024. However, projected onto the wall behind the DJ was a clip of newsreader Maryam Moshir using her fingers to count down.
The video gained traction in December 2023 when the almost-final finger gesture was caught live on air, prompting the presenter to issue an apology. She clarified that it was meant as a private joke with her team and expressed deep regret that it had been broadcasted, stating, “I’m so sorry it went out on air!”
“I didn’t mean for this to happen and I apologize if it caused offense or upset anyone,” she explained. “I wasn’t directing a rude gesture at viewers or anyone specific. It was just a light-hearted joke intended for a small group of friends.”
Despite this, Brits have taken it lightheartedly, as UK drag star Fatt Butcher and Knickerbocker host Alex Lawless incorporated the clip into their New Year celebrations — with many considering it “iconic.” The video from the NYE party has gone viral, accumulating over 744,000 views.
In the comments, people were enthusiastically endorsing the use of the meme. One user exclaimed, “OMG ICONIC.” Another suggested, “She should be a staple for every NYE!” A third commented, “The best countdown ever.”
Maryam herself responded with a simple “OMG!!!” Earlier, she had joked on the platform about leaving the New Year countdown to “someone else” as Brits prepared for the celebrations broadcasted by the BBC, as reported by Mirror.
Accompanying an edited image of herself projected onto the London Eye, Maryam shared, “I’m leaving the countdown to someone else tonight! I’ll be at home with the family… wishing you all a fantastic New Year. May you all have a healthy and happy 2024.”
Her post was well-received by viewers, with one commenting, “Yours is the best countdown,” while another added, “What a shame! They should’ve aired your clip at the crucial moment; it would’ve been the perfect way to bring smiles as we bid farewell to 2023. Have a joyous New Year and a prosperous 2024.” A third person expressed, “Thank you for my most frequently used meme of the year.”
