An extended video shows the seconds before BBC chief presenter Maryam Moshiri's middle finger gaffe earlier this month – after the veteran presenter revealed the gaffe was a “private joke” with her team.
BBC camera footage shows Ms Moshiri, 46, counting down from ten on her fingers as the team prepare to go live. The presenter makes a series of exaggerated gestures with her hands before reaching “one” and appearing to “turn off” the camera.
Ms Moshiri apologized after the end of the clip was broadcast live, which went viral when the BBC current news program on December 6 began with the presenter giving her middle finger to the camera.
“I joked a bit with the team in the gallery,” she explained. “I pretended to count down while the director counted me down from 10 to 0… including the fingers to indicate the number.” So from 10 fingers to one.
“When we got to 1, I twirled my finger [sic] as a joke and didn't realize it would be caught on camera. It was a private joke with the team and I'm so sorry it was broadcast […] “I didn’t really flip the bird to the audience or even one person.”
The extended clip showed the host counting down from 10 to one, as previously mentioned
The presenter gestures “two” into the camera in a series of exaggerated gestures
The lead anchor quickly seems to realize she's live, snatching her hand away and assuming a more appropriate stance as she begins reading out the headlines
Ms Moshiri today denied on Twitter that she or the BBC had released the extended video.
“So someone released the full video!” It wasn't the BBC that released it, and certainly not me!
“But in a way I think I'm glad it's out there because it shows that I had a little joke with the crew during the countdown.”
“Again, I'm sorry it went on air. “It was supposed to be a private laugh.”
The post was viewed 6.5 million times.
In the comments a user asked if she knew at the time of broadcast.
The host clarified that she “had no idea until I started reading the autocue and the director said, 'I think that went out'.”
TV personality Rylan Clark left a comment: “Babe, iconic. Want to send you flowers to celebrate x
Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald said: “We all really enjoyed it!” Don’t apologize. Saved my day'
Ms Moshiri received widespread support after her apology was posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on December 7.
BBC radio presenter Greg James wrote: 'Sorry rejected. It's the best thing ever. If anything you should be promoted x'
Comedian Dara Ó Briain added: “You're a legend, things like this happen, so ignore anything but people laughing with you.” All the best, x'
Others said the gesture showed a lack of professionalism before the full clip was released.
One user wrote on Twitter in response to Mr Ó Briain: 'Could you ever imagine Moira Stewart, George Alagiah or Alistair Burnett doing something like this? How a once great institution has fallen!'
“Oh, relax,” the comedian shrugged.
Ms Moshiri was announced earlier this year as part of a new line-up of the BBC news channel's top presenters.
She worked as a presenter on various BBC business programs for 16 years, worked for the news channels Radio 4 and BBC Breakfast and presented the 8pm news roundup on BBC1.
Ms Moshiri became a presenter on BBC World Service and BBC News in 2019, leading several flagship programs before taking on the role of chief presenter in February.
In September, Moshiri made headlines with her hilarious impromptu depiction of a rare blue supermoon when no image of the lunar event appeared on screen
In September, Ms Moshiri made headlines again with her hilarious impromptu depiction of a rare blue supermoon when no image of the lunar event appeared on screen.
The presenter thought quickly and said, “I'm so sorry, I don't have a picture to show you.” She held her hands up in a circle to represent the moon.
“It looked a bit like this,” she improvised, rounding off the paragraph. “Here please. Supermoon. Watch out. I'll see you in a minute.'