A viral video clip of a BBC presenter led to an apology and clarification after viewers were flashed a profane gesture on air.

BBC veteran Maryam Moshiri dismissed the incident as a “silly joke” but still offered her mea culpa for the moment the cameras picked up the middle finger she flashed during Wednesday’s world feed of BBC News at noon.

The anchor appeared on screen following the lunchtime show’s countdown, holding up her middle finger at the camera before seeming to realize she was on the air.

“Live from London, this is BBC News,” she said after quickly pulling back her hand and composing herself.

This isn’t satire, an actual BBC News presenter got caught giving the middle finger live.

Maryam Moshiri summing up the professionalism currently at the BBC. pic.twitter.com/QoJ4FT133J

— Chris Rose (@ArchRose90) December 7, 2023

Moshiri went on to deliver news about former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s apology and other topics, but viewers had already had an eyeful.

By the next morning, the anchor with two decades at the BBC issued a statement on social media, explaining how the moment was a “private joke” with members of the team in the BBC studio.

“Hey everyone , yesterday just before the top of the hour I was joking around a bit with the team in the gallery,” she wrote on X.

“I was pretending to count down as the director was counting me down from 10-0.. including the fingers to show the number. So from 10 fingers held up to one,” she explained. “When we got to 1 I turned finger around as a joke and did not realise that this would be caught on camera.”

Hey everyone , yesterday just before the top of the hour I was joking around a bit with the team in the gallery.

I was pretending to count down as the director was counting me down from 10-0.. including the fingers to show the number. So from 10 fingers held up to one.

When…

— Maryam Moshiri (@BBCMaryam) December 7, 2023

Moshiri apologized that the moment “went out on air” and insisted, “It was not my intention for this to happen and I’m sorry if I offended or upset anyone. I wasn’t ‘ flipping the bird’ at viewers or even a person really.”

“It was a silly joke that was meant for a small number of my mates,” her message concluded.

While reactions varied with some reminding her about being professional, many others saw the levity of the moment as they commented on X. British optical retail chain, Specsavers, delivered a “boss reply.”

Boss reply

— utbdoug (@utbdoug969) December 7, 2023

Wild world we live in when you have to apologise for something like this

— Craig Monaghan (@craig_monaghan) December 7, 2023

I mean it ain’t that serious..its hilarious. I don’t think there is a need for apology. Thanks for meme tho

— Saqib Ahmed (@Saqib_hmed) December 7, 2023

Bollocks. You got caught and now come out with this pitiful explanation

Resign.

— Mike (@MikeSouthWestUK) December 7, 2023

My entire extended family have decided not to renew their @bbc TV licence unless you are removed from our screens. In the eyes of many you’ve been particularly unprofessional recently but this was despicable beyond words. My 6 year old nephew saw this and is traumatised.

— Le Souness (@LeSouness) December 7, 2023

It’s funny, and people need to get over themselves.

— Mark Bourrie (@MarkBourrie) December 7, 2023

Switching within a second to read the news was even more impressive.

— racingpete (@Betracingnation) December 7, 2023

By the looks of these comments you’re not even allowed to have a joke with your mates anymore ‍♂️

I don’t think any reasonable person would be offended after reading this explanation.

— Tom Talks Money (@Tom_Talks_Money) December 7, 2023

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Frieda Powers

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Frieda@bizpacreview.com

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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