On Thursday 6 December 2023, BBC news anchor Maryam Moshiri was caught giving the middle finger to the camera at the beginning of a live broadcast. The anchor pulled a funny face and playfully tilted her head to the side as she displayed the gesture on live television. This moment, which was obviously a joke and not intended to be seen by a live audience, quickly dissipated and Moshiri promptly transitioned into delivering the morning news.

Nevertheless, the funny moment that was briefly caught on camera was quite a surprise for many viewers who were pretty stunned to see a news anchor being so cheeky, even though it was clear that Moshiri was unaware she was being filmed at that moment.

@aryan2_4u

#fyp #bbcnews #usa_tiktok #breakingnews #tiktok #foryourpage

♬ original sound - Aryan4U

@metrouk

BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri appeared to give the middle finger live on air while seemingly unaware that she was on camera. Maryam was pulling a funny face before quickly recovering as she began the report, clearly aware that she was now on air. She has now apologised on Twitter, explaining 'It was a private joke with the team and I’m so sorry it went out on air!' #bbcnews #bbc #news #onair #caughtoncamera #embarrassingmoments #embarrassing #maryammoshiri #outtake #bloopers

♬ original sound - MetroUK

Needless to say, the clip sent shockwaves through the online sphere and quickly became a viral hit.

“And that kids is what The BBC calls a ‘sackable offence’,” one TikTok commentator wrote. “Being reported by everyone except BBC News lol,” another user noted in reference to the headline-making incident. “Maryam Moshiri shows us how to destroy your career in seconds, while saying f*ck you to the people that watch the BBC and pay her wages. Back at you love,” a final X user critiqued.

https://twitter.com/simonharris_mbd/status/1732670054053843098

Presenter Maryam Moshiri - summing up BBC professionalism and integrity in action. This is what you pay your licence fee for…. pic.twitter.com/lkWHprg2S5

— Bob M 🇬🇧💫 (@bobmca1) December 7, 2023

Maryam Moshiri shows us how to destroy your career in second, while saying fuck you to the ppl that watch the BBC and pay her wages. Back at you love. pic.twitter.com/eI3MRw3vJs

— Trevor Bayfield (@TBayfield) December 7, 2023

In response to the backlash, Moshiri posted an extensive apology about the incident on her X page and provided a bit of background about what was going on at that moment.

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

According to the presenter, it was just a playful moment of levity with the camera crew that unexpectedly made it into the broadcast: “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,” Moshiri clarified.

With the clip having grabbed everyone’s attention, it looks like this short bit of fun will remain in our collective memories as one of the most memeable moments of 2023.