BBC Newsreader Mocks Creator Of Socially Distanced Trick Or Treat Device

"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."

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.

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.