RTÉ newsreader Aengus MacGrianna is keeping it classy Ireland…
MacGrianna, dubbed the “Irish Anchorman” has laughed off yesterday’s telly blooper in good nature and has said it’s all part of the job.
Footage of the RTÉ presenter went viral within hours yesterday, in which he was caught on camera fixing his tie, his shirt and applying some bronzer with a powder puff.
He dusts off his jacket before realising that he is being streamed live on air on RTE’s News Now digital channel.
The funniest part? His indignant, “What?”.
Producers cut to titles to spare the experienced presenter’s blushes but news of the faux-pas spread like wildfire across the internet. The episode was blamed on a studio technical error.
MacGrianna’s name was trending on Twitter in Ireland yesterday.
The 29-second clip has also become an internet sensation, despite an initial RTÉ move to have it taken down from sharing site YouTube.
By last night, it had clocked up more than 200,000 views across the web, and even spawned a mash-up video featuring Ron Burgundy, the hero of Will Ferrell’s 2004 comedy flick Anchorman. It’s a must-watch.
But the show must go on… and the good-humoured Gaeilgoir Aengus is the first to say it.
“It was a technical problem and simply one of the hazards of the trade,” he laughed.
“I can’t believe it’s been of such interest, but I am delighted that so many people are watching our news channel. And yes, I’m back to the desk as normal today!”
But it hasn’t been the first time Aengus has found himself caught off-guard on air either. In December he was taped stumbling over lines regarding the 40th anniversary of the last Apollo moon mission.
His attempt to read the auto-cue, politely adding “I beg your pardon” several times before asking backroom staff “can we just go back to the very start of that?”, also went viral.
Yesterday Aengus’s partner Terry admitted to not being surprised by how well the newsman handles the unexpected.
He told Today FM’s Ray D’Arcy Show: “He’s normally unflappable.”
