ITV Central reporter, Callum Watkinson in the video clip
(Picture: Twitter/imjustbrum)ITV has apologised after one of their reporters threatened to “bang out” a member of the public who apparently disrupted his live broadcast.
Callum Watkinson, a reporter at ITV Central, verbally tore into the man after he purposely walked in the back of his shot while the camera was rolling.
Filming was taking place next to Centenary Square in Birmingham City Centre.
The clip has since been shared to the “@imjustbrum” Twitter page, where Watkinson can be seen finishing his report.
😬😬😬😬 pic.twitter.com/vXyUhvwSVc
— Birmingham's Official #1 Page (@imjustbrum) June 11, 2021
Afterwards, he walks up to the man and can be heard asking: “I’m just trying to do a job. Have you got a job?”
The man replies: “Yeah I do.”
Then Watkinson furiously shouts: “Well don’t f***ing do it, and I won’t come into your workplace and start f***ing with you.”
“Stop being rude,” the man responds.
Watkinson approaches the man again and says: “If you get behind me again I will f***ing bang you out, do you understand me?”
The footage then cuts to the reporter asking the man: “Why don’t you get a job and then I’ll come behind you and start being an idiot.”
“Where do you work? Footlocker or McDonald’s?” Watkinson added.
He continued: “How about ‘sorry for trying to mess up my work’? How about that? Do you know how hard it is to broadcast live to half a million people?”
Watkinson then gesticulates the man’s interruption by waving his hands and jumping about.
A spokesperson from ITV told The Guardian: “ITV has spoken to the reporter and the matter is being dealt with internally. We apologise for any offence the comments have caused and will not be commenting further at this time.”
Meanwhile people shared their thoughts on Twitter, and it appears people were divided.
Some were appalled with Watkinson’s behaviour.
Think the real issue is his appalling attitude to people having jobs in places he feels are beneath him. His employers should review any contracts, he also threatens violence, not a good look for a journalist.
— Paul Johnstone 💙 (@Paulorsummot) June 14, 2021
Oh dear, such language from a so called professional. You choose to do pointless outside broadcasts so take the risks.
— John M (@JohnM39745566) June 14, 2021
Needs firing for loosing it terribble we trust these presenters
— John (@johnmad51646416) June 12, 2021
Arrogant sod. Doesn't make any difference whether it's half a million or 50 million - it's just a camera.
— WolfmanJack (@WolfmanJack1812) June 12, 2021
While, others were more sympathetic to the fact that Watkinson was trying to do his job.
The reporter is only trying to do his job.
— Mike Moore (@mikenotache) June 14, 2021
I’m surprised that no one seems to think that this boy was wrong. How do we educate our children? Respect of each other job is a value 😳😳😳😳
— nannie nungs (@NannieNungs) June 14, 2021
I’m not gonna lie I think what he said was fair enough 😂 https://t.co/9rNoYLUQBr
— owen cox (@yaaboyojc) June 14, 2021
