Kate Garraway was forced to apologise to Good Morning Britain viewers after a passer-by made a “rude gesture” during a live broadcast.
The presenter and her co-host Rob Rinder were interviewing City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher on Friday’s installment, who was on discuss Edinburgh’s new tourist levy.
The measure, which will add a 5 per cent charge to the cost of the first five nights spent in hotels, B&Bs, short-term lets and other visitor accommodation, comes as the Scottish capital prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors for the Edinburgh festivals.
Glasgow, Aberdeen and Stirling councils have also voted to introduce similar charges, while several other local authorities are consulting on their own proposals.
However, the interview was momentary derailed when a man appeared in the background and made a reverse V-sign towards the camera.
Briefly interrupted the discussion, Garraway addressed the incident, telling viewers: “Just to say, Jane, you won’t be aware because you were talking so elegantly to us with the gorgeous vision of Edinburgh behind.
“But somebody came past doing a rather rude gesture. So, if you’re watching at home and you saw, that is no reflection on Jane or indeed Edinburgh.”
It’s not the first mishap this week after Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick was overheard calling his interview with Ed Balls and Susanna Reid on Wednesday’s show ”a waste of time”.
Jenrick appeared on Wednesday’s show to speak about the scandal surrounding Reform leader Nigel Farage’s £5 million gift from Thailand-based billionaire Christopher Harborne.
The MP, who had appeared via video call, said goodbye to the hosts at the end of their interview and was heard saying on his mic moments later: “That was a waste of time.”
There was a pause before Balls clapped back: “I think it wasn’t a waste of time.
“Robert Jenrick gave us very clear answers on the police investigation; it’s not a waste of time for him to make clear that he believes there’s no police investigation.”
He added: “It was good he came on the programme.”
Reid, who was seen looking nonplussed when Jenrick made the comment, said they were “very grateful for his time”.
