BBC newsreader Simon McCoy baffles viewers with bizarre park bench perch

The BBC's Simon McCoy has confused fans after pretending to sit on a park bench with a bizarre perch.

The journalist, who anchors BBC News between 2pm and 5pm on weekdays, appeared to crouch to make it look as though he were sitting on a picture of a bench projected behind him.

Simon said: "When lockdowns are eased, one of the simplest pleasures is to go out for a walk, and perhaps sit for a moment on a park bench."

As the camera panned out, viewers could see Simon's strange perch.

TV critic Scott Bryan was the first to notice, sharing a clip of the scene and querying: "What is going on?"

Simon pretended to sit on a park bench (BBC)

Another joked: "Petition to replace the BBC News desk with a park bench for @BBCSimonMcCoy."

"How could he do that with a straight face?" a third laughed.

A fourth shared a string of cry laughing emojis and wrote: "Simon McCoy pretending to sit on a park bench."

And in a gaffe-packed show, Simon struggled to contain his laughter as a pianist played classical compositions to monkeys.

Viewers were baffled by the stance (BBC)

"He'd previously spent more than a decade playing to elephants," he said, before a laugh burst from his lips, "at retirement sanctuaries."

Simon looked back at the camera with the hint of a smile.

But his composure didn't hold as he couldn't stifle another laugh as he said: "Now the weather, with Matt Taylor."

"Just saw this and it brightened my day," one follower remarked.

"Simon McCoy is pure TV gold," another enamoured fan chuckled.

Carol's 'doggers' blunder has gone down as one of the best live TV blunders (BBC)

This comes after a string of epic gaffes from meteorologist Carol Kirkwood.

Speaking on a video call from Greenwich Park, she told the studio: "The sun is beating down. We've seen lots of doggers."

Realising her mistake, she added: "Not doggers, of course. Lots of dogs and joggers this morning - and the forecast for this week..."

Later, Carol tweeted: "That will teach me to try and say joggers and dog walkers in the same sentence!!! Sorry!"

In another, Naga Munchetty struggled to suppress her laughter.

"Very windy," Carol declared, "and unsettled even into next week.

Carol's tennis balls gaffe tickled Naga (BBC)

She struggled to suppress a giggle (BBC)

"Won't be playing much tennis!"

"Not much tennis, did you say?" Naga asked her.

"Not much, no," Carol remarked, "Balls will be blowing everywhere."

Naga started to laugh before Carol clarified: "Tennis balls!"