TV reporter panics whilst holding alligator

A handler shouted quickly to "hold him tight!" as he struggled to keep it still

A TV reporter was left shaken up after having to wrestle with an alligator to keep it still.

Steve Burton was presenting an educational segment on the animal when it began to squirm, and he was told quickly and repeatedly to "hold him tight!"

"I am, I am, I am, I am, I am," Steve squealed, eventually passing the alligator back to his handler.

Burton presents the programme Sports Final on Boston station WBZ, which sometimes includes an educational segment on animals.

The reporter has also come face-to-face with tarantulas, snakes and even another (bigger) alligator in the past, but on this occasion he couldn't keep his calm.

"My hand is still shaking," he said later in the programme.

"That thing was so strong. I wasn't fine!"

The fun seemed to continue on the show, as handlers Joaney Gallagher and Michael Ralbovsky also brought out a Komodo dragon, which went to the toilet on the studio floor.

“One thing’s for sure, I’m never ever going to live that alligator moment down,” Burton added.