A BBC News presenter was forced to correct himself after making a mistake just minutes into a live broadcast. Gareth Barlow was presenting the news bulletin on August 20 when he made the error, but fortunately he saw the comical side, posting on Twitter pointing out his blunder.
During the opening line of his broadcast, he had said: ” Hello! I’m watching…” before realising his error and quipping to himself: “I’m watching BBC News? I’m Gareth Barlow.” Correcting himself, he then added: “You’re watching BBC News.”
He took to social media after the incident and joked about what had happened with his followers. Sharing the clip, he wrote alongside it: “Can someone please remind me who’s watching the news…”
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As well as poking fun at himself, the presenter joined in with fans joking online about his mistake. When one fan wrote, ‘watching me, watching you,’ next to a gif of Neil Diamond singing Sweet Caroline, Gareth was quick to reply: “This is the best response yet!”
One fan wrote: “You were watching BBC News… and hosting it. Not entirely incorrect haha,” whilst a third added: “And you were all prepared and so raring to go….lol. It was an adorable little flub and you recovered so well with a great smile. You’re an old pro.”
While the majority praised his quick turn-around, with some posting “10/10 save!” and “perfect recovery”. After sharing the clip of his blunder to X (formerly known as Twitter) it has already been viewed nearly 800,000 times on the platform alone in less than 48 hours.
Always the joker, presenter Greg James couldn’t help but reference Gareth’s blunder on Radio 1 earlier. Sharing a clip, Gareth wrote alongside it: “Thanks to @gregjames for the shoutout on @BBCR1 … I’ve spent the morning practicing saying my name ready for my radio show this afternoon. Wish me luck.”