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8 times the BBC messed up live on-air this year

It was a sweary year for the usually composed BBC presenters 

Mollie Goodfellow
Thursday 31 December 2015 13:37 GMT
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Bill Turnbull accidentally slipped up on air
Bill Turnbull accidentally slipped up on air

The pressures of live TV and radio can often get a bit too much, so accidents or slips of the tongue are bound to happen – and this year has been no different.

The BBC has had its fair share of dramas this year including the departure of controversial Top Gear favourite Jeremy Clarkson, who was involved in a ‘fracas’ with a producer on set.

But what kinds of shenanigans have the other BBC presenters been up to this year? Here are some of the favourite on-air gaffes that have struck the usually calm and collected presenters at the beeb.

1. Bill Turnbull

Former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull was left red-faced after accidentally dropping the C-bomb during the morning show.

Bill Turnbull drops the c-bomb on live TV

While reporting on a health story, Mr Turnbull appeared to say: “He's been a barber for 32 years. He's spotted cancer on two customers,” before the accidental slip of the tongue while quoting said barber: ”'I regularly speak to clients on illness and pass the knowledge on to other c***s... er clients as well'“.

Viewers were quick to upload Vines of the gaffe, but Bill swiftly moved on from the slip up and continued with the show.

2. James Naughtie

The Radio 4 Today programme presenter turned the airwaves blue when he was caught out by his mic saying “sh*t” as the pips played before the news.

James Naughtie swears on radio

The show in question was also Nick Robinson’s debut on the programme, after making the switch from screen to radio. After the gaffe Robinson tweeted that it was just ”one of those days“.

3. Hezbollah subtitle

While it wasn’t a slip up by a presenter, the BBC had to apologise in early December for a subtitle that misinterpreted what a Match of the Day presenter had said.

At an Aston Villa v Everton match commentator Steve Wilson pointed out the former chairman of Villa Sir Doug Ellis and quipped: “Great to see Doug Ellis here in his Villa scarf.”

However, seemingly having a mind of its own, the subtitles showed as “Great to see Doug Ellis here with Hezbollah.”

The BBC apologised for the incident and insisted that they were working to improve the live subtitle feature on its shows.

4. Clive Myrie

Tyson Fury has been one of the country’s more controversial public sports figures this year, but he got served a frank put-down by a BBC presenter when it came to his nomination for Sports Personality of the Year.

Clive Myrie, after confirming that it was in fact after the watershed, on his The Papers show said: “You cannot be a d******* and win Sports Personality of the Year.”

Fury was crowned heavyweight champion of the world after beating legendary boxer Wladimir Klitschko in Munich, however he has been heavily criticised for his controversial comments about gay people and fellow sportsperson Jessica Ennis-Hill.

5. Norman Smith

The BBC’s assistant political editor Norman Smith found himself apologising after accidentally calling Ukip leader Nigel Farage a bad word.

In an unfortunate slip of the tongue instead of describing Ukip a “personality cult”, Norman accidentally said “personality c***” live on air.

A BBC spokesperson told the i100.co.uk: ”The nature of live broadcasting means that on-air stumbles occasionally happen and Norman immediately clarified he had meant to say cult“.

6. “Rick Nobinson”

Nick seems to have a habit of becoming involved in on-air gaffes, and he again found himself the subject of another while being introduced on to the One Show by presenter Alex Jones.

She introduced the former political editor as “Rick Nobinson”, prompting guest co-presenter Nick Grimshaw to exclaim “who?”

Luckily, Nick took the mix-up in good humour saying: “It could cotton on; it’s my stage name.”

7. John Inverdale

In 2014, John Inverdale blamed hay fever as the reason why he made controversial comments about tennis player Marion Bartoli’s appearance, and again this year it seems Inverdale is having trouble in biting his tongue.

While at the Cheltenham Festival talking to jockey Lizzie Kelly and former rider John Francome, Inverdale accidentally dropped the C-word.

As they discussed Francome’s early career working in stables, Inverdale said he must be ”looking at it through rose-c***ed glasses“.

He was quick to clarify the mistake, saying “I apologise there for a slip of the tongue”.

8. Chris Mitchell

Remember the BBC presenter who pretended that a big pad of paper was an iPad, while presenting on-air? This is better than that.

Chris Mitchell, BBC Sport presenter, was waiting for his Sports Today segment to end when he pretended the palm of his hand was an iPad.

Luckily, the moment was captured for all to see via Vine.

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