A Sky News presenter accidentally dropped an F-bomb live on air while reporting on David Walliams' publisher dropping him from the company.
The former Britain’s Got Talent judge has been dropped by his publisher HarperCollins UK following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women.
On Friday (19 December), HarperCollins announced that they made Walliams, the author of The Boy In The Dress, Fing, and Gangsta Granny, 'aware' of their decision.
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“After careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams. The author is aware of this decision,” a spokesperson said.
Sky News' arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer was reporting on the situation during a 20 December broadcast and swore when diving into Walliams' history with the publisher.
Watch below:
"He published his very first book with Harper Collins, The Boy In The Dress, in 2008," Spencer said.
She then added: "He's gone on to publish the further..." before stumbling over her words: "More than fourteen... oh f**k it, I'm going to start again."
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Spencer appeared to assume that the footage was going to be edited before it was sent out, and said: "Sorry, do not ever air me saying the F-word."
The clip, however, went out, and news anchor Kamali Melbourne was quick to apologise.
"Apologies if you heard any bad language there," he said after an awkward moment of silence.
The incident occurred around two years after Maryam Moshiri unexpectedly gave the middle finger live on air while presenting BBC News.
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Moshiri later apologised for the incident, saying she was ‘joking around’ and ‘pretending to count down’.
Commenting on Spencer's soon-to-be viral moment, one viewer wrote: "She had a human moment. I felt that."
While another penned: "Give her a raise. This is the real BTS behind all them 'perfectly shot videos'."
Spencer was reporting on an investigation into allegations reported by The Telegraph that Walliams 'harassed' junior female employees at HarperCollins.
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The outlet said they launched a private investigation into the allegations last year and found that one woman reportedly received a five-figure settlement from HarperCollins before leaving the publisher.
A spokesperson for Walliams, 54, said in a statement: “David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins.
“He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions. David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.”
LADbible Group has approached HarperCollins UK and Walliams' representatives for further comment.
Anish Vij