Person In Fancy Dress Walks Around Behind BBC Reporter During Live Broadcast

People catching up on the news at home were slightly distracted as a person in fancy dress appeared behind a reporter, staring into the camera before walking out of frame.

BBC News correspondent Helena Wilkinson was reporting from Leicester Square, London, showing how a usually-thriving tourist area was left empty following Prime Minister Boris Johnson's latest speech, commanding social venues to close to help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"It feels very strange to be standing in the middle of Leicester Square, the heart of London, on a Friday evening," Wilkinson said.

"It is nearly deserted here."

Of course, Wilkinson wasn't alone for too long, as she was soon joined by someone in the background, who'd decided to intrude on the live news broadcast while wearing a strange fancy dress get-up that involved a mask and admiral's hat.

The moment didn't go unmissed by viewers at home, with many sharing the clip on Twitter in disbelief.

One person wrote: "Check this boy on BBC News. Aye aye Captain."

Another joked: "Rees-Mogg makes an impromptu appearance wearing his coronavirus mask."

Someone else commented: "I laughed so much I nearly choked."

BBC

During his daily coronavirus briefing today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told all bars, cafes and restaurants to close 'tonight, as soon as they reasonably can'.

He said: "We are telling cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to close tonight as soon as they reasonably can and not reopen tomorrow."

The same rule will also apply to theatres, gyms, cinemas and leisure centres, Johnson explained, adding: "We need now to push down further on that curve of transmission."

Johnson said that venues can still continue to provide 'takeout services', and that the new measures on closures will be reviewed on a monthly basis.

Addressing the general public, Johnson said: "We want you to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives."

He also pledged to businesses that the government is doing everything it can within its power, and that it would 'stand by' them.

Let's all bring some positivity, support and fun to anyone who might find themselves in isolation as a result of the coronavirus spread. Need some entertainment? Join Isolation Nation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coronasupport/

Topics: uk news, News, Coronavirus

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman