Live television can be unpredictable, and Sky News got a stark reminder of that on Saturday morning.
During their breakfast show, a major blunder unfolded when Arts and Entertainment Correspondent Katie Spencer accidentally let an expletive slip on air.
What was meant to be a smooth segment quickly became a viral moment for all the wrong reasons.
The Moment the F-Word Escaped
The incident occurred while presenters Anna Jones and Kamali Melbourne were covering allegations against comedian and author David Walliams.
As Ms. Spencer began discussing Walliams’ career, she stumbled over her script.
In a moment of frustration, she muttered, “Oh f** it, I’m going to start again. Do not ever air me saying the f-word”*—before restarting her segment.
The camera cut back to the studio to show a visibly surprised Jones and Melbourne, who quickly apologized to viewers if any bad language was heard.
Melbourne even teased Sky’s sport presenter Jacquie Beltrao, saying, “No bad language Jacs,” to which she replied, “No bad language from me!”
Social Media Reacts Fast
The slip-up didn’t go unnoticed. Quick-eyed viewers shared the clip across social media.
On X (formerly Twitter), one user, Jill, remarked, “Sky News’ Katie Spencer had a little whoopsie on live TV.
The face on the bloke at the desk… PRICELESS. The perils of live TV.”
Another viewer, Michael Moslin, pointed out, “Apologies if you heard any bad language. You literally had to be deaf not to hear any bad language.”
Some speculated the segment might have been pre-recorded, but most agreed it was a classic live-TV error: never swear on camera.
The Walliams Controversy Overshadows the Gaffe
The segment itself was discussing serious allegations against David Walliams, who is accused of harassing female staff members at HarperCollins.
Following an internal investigation, the publisher announced they would no longer work with the 54-year-old comedian and children’s author.
The BBC also confirmed it has no future projects planned with Walliams, delivering another blow to the former Britain’s Got Talent judge’s potential TV comeback.
Walliams has denied the allegations and is reportedly taking a pre-Christmas break in the Maldives with his 12-year-old son, Alfred.
Allegations and Company Response
The investigation into Walliams’ conduct began after a junior colleague filed a complaint in 2023.
Staff members were interviewed, and the process reportedly involved the company’s in-house legal team.
One woman who raised concerns is said to have received a five-figure payout and has since left HarperCollins.
Former employees also described being advised to work in pairs when interacting with Walliams and warned not to visit his home.
With the allegations now public, the BBC has stepped back from any future collaborations, stating, “While we’re not making any changes to the festive schedules, we have no future projects directly involving David Walliams.”
What’s Next for Sky News and Walliams?
For Sky News, the gaffe serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of live broadcasts.
Meanwhile, Walliams faces a storm of professional setbacks amid serious allegations, with both publishers and broadcasters distancing themselves from him.
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