Advertisement

BBC News presenter mistakes copy paper for iPad on air

BBC News presenter mistakes copy paper for iPad on air. (Screengrab/YouTube)

Viewers watching BBC News on Wednesday morning noticed the presenter, Simon McCoy, walked onto the set carrying an unusual prop: a ream of photocopier paper.

McCoy read the introduction to a story about 'Drunk Tanks' with a sober disposition, standing firmly with a blue package of paper in his hands as though it was an essential element of the newscast.

The BBC later told the Press Association McCoy had accidentally picked up the stack of paper while reaching for his iPad, which was sitting next to it.

[ Related: British businessman sets up hotline to make money from telemarketers ]

"In the rush of live news, he didn't have an opportunity to swap the items, so simply went with it," the BBC said in a statement.

Since news presenters rarely get a break after blunders, it didn't take long for the world to notice the mishap.

On another occasion, McCoy was once caught live resting his head on the desk when he thought he was off air, according to the Press Association.