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06 Sept 2025

National: WATCH: BBC newsreader red-faced live on air after sticking middle finger up at camera

National: WATCH: BBC newsreader red-faced live on air after sticking middle finger up at camera

Maryam Moshiri has since apologised

A BBC News presenter was caught red handed on live television after a joke with her fellow co-workers went awry, leaving her sticking her middle finger up live on air. 

Maryam Moshiri was presenting a live news bulletin on Wednesday and just as the intro ended and the broadcast began, Moshiri could be seen with her middle finger up directly in front of the camera.

A seasoned professional, Moshiri quickly lowers her hand and begins the news update, swiftly saying "Live from London, this is BBC news".

Moshiri has since came out with an apology to clear up any sort of confusion viewers may have had.

The full apology said:

"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 we got to 1 I turned finger around as a joke and did not realise that this would be caught on camera. It was a private joke with the team and I’m so sorry it went out on air!

"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."

The clip went viral across social media and commenters couldn't help but laugh at the blunder, even opticians giant Specsavers chimed in.

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