Sky News viewers were left in a state of shock and amusement on Friday morning after arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer accidentally swore live on air. The chaotic slip-up occurred just after 7am on December 20, 2025, during a segment about comedian David Walliams being dropped by his publisher.
The Live On-Air Slip-Up
Katie Spencer was detailing Walliams's prolific writing career, explaining how he found fame in Little Britain before transitioning to successful children's books. While attempting to list his extensive bibliography, she stumbled over her words, stating he had gone on to publish "a further… more than 40…" before abruptly abandoning the sentence.
Visibly flustered, Spencer exclaimed: ‘Oh f**k it, I’d better start again. Sorry, do not ever air me saying the F word.’ She then immediately began her script again from the beginning, as producers in the gallery swiftly cut the broadcast and returned to the main Mornings with Jones and Melbourne studio.
Studio Presenters React to the Blunder
Back in the studio, presenters Kamali Melbourne and Anna Jones were left to handle the unexpected situation. Kamali Melbourne addressed the audience directly, saying: ‘Apologies if you heard any bad language there, we’ll check that out,’ while sharing a confused look with co-host Anna Jones.
He then turned to sports commentator Jacquie Beltrao, who had just joined them, and light-heartedly warned: ‘But Jacquie’s joined us. No bad language Jaqs.’ Beltrao laughed in response, assuring viewers: ‘No bad language from me.’
Viewer Reaction and Broadcasting Precedents
The clip, which Metro understands was aired in error and has since been removed from circulation by Sky, quickly delighted viewers on social media. On X, user Josh Currie described it as ‘wild scenes’, while TikTok user Tori joked: ‘I had to rewind it, thought I was hearing things.’
Other viewers found the moment quintessentially British. Florence Love quipped: ‘I dropped my coffee, it was so funny,’ and Willoughby commented it was ‘the most British thing I’ve seen today.’
This incident is not an isolated event in UK broadcasting. Just last month, Tory MP Robert Jenrick used strong language on Good Morning Britain, calling a line of questioning ‘total bulls**t’. Similarly, I’m A Celebrity… Unpacked host Joel Dommett exclaimed ‘f**king hell’ on air after an insect landed on him, promptly apologising afterwards.
Metro has contacted both Sky News and Katie Spencer for comment regarding the live broadcast mishap.
