BBC Host Maryam Moshiri Apologises For Flashing Middle Finger Live On Air

David GilmourDec 7th, 2023, 5:11 am

BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri apologised Thursday after being caught flipping the bird at the camera just as her news broadcast started.

The clip, which quickly went viral, showed a countdown to Wednesday’s lunchtime news bulletin broadcast only for Moshiri to be seen pulling the middle finger at the camera. The journalist quickly adjusted herself and began reading the news as normal beginning with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s apology on to the Covid Inquiry.

By the next morning, Moshiri was issuing her own apology in a statement made via X. On Thursday, Moshiri explained that the incident had been a “silly joke” between members of the team in the studio, flipping up the finger as her producer counted her in using their fingers to live broadcast. She apologised if the joke had offended viewers and reassured them that the gesture was not for them.

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 is a BBC veteran, having worked for the broadcaster for 20 years. She was promoted in February to become one of BBC News’ chief presenters.

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