BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay left viewers in hysterics after his reaction to two interruptions while reporting live outside Downing Street on Monday, July 20. The newsreader was covering the announcement of Andy Burnham as the new Prime Minister following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation.
Road sweeper interruption
Jon was forced to cut one moment short when a man sweeping the road behind him caught his attention. He remarked: "Guys, thank you very much indeed. I think we're going to have to stop you, otherwise we're going to get brushed away!"
He added: "They've polished the front door already, buffed it up, and now they're getting rid of all the stains on the floor because the eyes of the world are going to be on Downing Street in the hours to come."
Handshake moment goes viral
It wasn't long before another interruption, which he later took to social media to share. Jon had been in conversation with BBC News' political editor Chris Mason when somebody stepped in front of the camera to extend their hand in greeting. Jon courteously reciprocated the handshake before turning back round and pulling an awkward expression.
He subsequently posted the moment on social media, stating: "When an old mate spots you in Downing Street - and doesn't realise you're live on @bbcbreakfast."
Viewers were in hysterics, hailing Jon's reaction as "brilliant" and calling the moment "TV gold". One person said: "Nice chuckle on a serious day." Someone else added: "Absolutely love jon kay." Another wrote: "Don't care if my friend is on live tv, I'd do the same! Gives everyone a nice innocent laugh."
Another follower commented: "I love Jon's professionalism, but his glimmers of authenticity make for absolutely brilliant Breakfast presenting. And I never tire of Larry chat. Reminds me of the @mrdanwalker @louiseminchin glory days." Someone else echoed: "Jon is such a brilliant presenter."
Cleaning machine quip
Later in the show, after the interruption from the road sweeper, a cleaning machine began washing the road markings. Jon quipped: "Do you think we could get our shoes cleaned at the same time?"
He elsewhere addressed the change to BBC Breakfast's schedule, saying: "Breakfast on for a little bit longer today until 10 o'clock this morning, and at that point we will all find out what's going to happen. Clive Myrie will be here live from Downing Street for a BBC News special. Watch around the world here on BBC News and in the UK on BBC One and iPlayer. That's all to come, they will guide us through those appointments and changes, a moment of history here in Downing Street."
BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
