BBC presenter apologises in a statement following a live TV incident that gained viral attention
Maryam Moshiri provided a detailed explanation of the events following her inadvertent display of a rude hand gesture while on air.
BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri issued an apology via X, formerly known as Twitter, after an inadvertent gesture during a live broadcast. Moshiri was captured on camera making a rude hand gesture and pulling a humorous expression before promptly transitioning to delivering the news professionally upon realizing she was on air.
In her statement addressing the incident, which quickly gained traction across social media platforms, she expressed, “Hello everyone, just before the top of the hour yesterday, I was engaging in light-hearted banter with the gallery team.”
“I was playfully mimicking a countdown as the director was signaling me from 10 to 0, using fingers to indicate the numbers. From displaying 10 fingers down to one, when we reached the count of 1, I made a light-hearted gesture that, regrettably, was captured by the camera.”
“It was a jest shared among the team, and I deeply regret that it was broadcasted. I did not intend for this to occur and apologise if it caused offence or distress. My actions were not directed towards viewers or any specific individual; it was a light-hearted moment intended for a small group of friends.”
Her amused followers swiftly responded, with one commenting: ‘No need to fret! It’s evident you were just sharing a lighthearted moment with the crew.’ Another individual chimed in, saying: ‘It’s not such a big deal… it’s actually quite amusing. An apology isn’t necessary.’
However, not everyone was impressed. One person remarked: ‘This isn’t satire; it’s a real BBC News presenter accidentally making an inappropriate gesture live. Maryam Moshiri’s actions reflect the current level of professionalism at the BBC.’ Another added: ‘Presenter Maryam Moshiri showcasing the BBC’s professionalism and integrity. This is what your licence fee supports.’
Nevertheless, the image rapidly gained traction on social media, evolving into a popular meme among users. A dedicated fan even suggested that Maryam should consider using it as her new profile picture on Twitter.
