BBC Newsreader Mocks Creator Of Socially Distanced Trick Or Treat Device

A BBC newsreader closed a segment about a socially distanced trick or treat device with a savage quip. You can watch it here:

Simon McCoy began by outlining how the device worked - his apathy somewhat veiled to begin with.

He said: "Halloween is fast approaching, and if you're wondering how to achieve socially distanced trick or treating, here's one solution.

"A mother in Arkansas has come up with a candy chute to ensure that sweets can be delivered safely on 31 October.

"It's basically an arrangement of PVC pipes, spray paint and connectors."

BBC News

But as the segment drew to a close and his enthusiasm waned, McCoy couldn't help but conclude the piece with a little dig at the contraption's creator.

He said: "Add to that a remote control doorbell, a bucket and the transaction is... entirely contactless. As will be her social life."

The burn didn't go unnoticed. In fact, McCoy was widely praised for it:

One person commented: "All these raging debates about the licence fee, but that bad boy pays Simon McCoy's salary. Worth every penny, I say."

Another said: "I like the running out of desire to say the words towards the end of the clip. We need more of this on the news."

A third said: "Do the BBC purposely give Simon McCoy these silly news stories for the sole purpose of broadcasting his absolute sass??"

Perhaps McCoy felt such disdain for the story because he knew it wasn't even original.

Last month, Andrew Beattie from Ohio was boasting about making essentially the same thing.

Explaining why he made it in a post on Facebook, he said: "I put this together from throwaway materials (a 6' x 4" cardboard shipping tube and stuff I already had) in about twenty minutes.

"And if it brings comfort to those who are a little more reluctant, awesome! My house is already usually pretty terrifying to kids at Halloween, and you can see from my profile pic how that might be the case.

"If this candy chute makes things easier or safer, AND gives those with mobility challenges more of a chance to participate, then what's the harm?

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, ya' know."

Why he was preparing for Halloween in September is a different question altogether.

Topics: UK News, BBC, Funny, halloween

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey