Channel 4 news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy became an unlikely viral sensation this week after footage emerged of him sprinting off the set at the end of Wednesday's evening bulletin. The clip, posted on social media on Friday by viewer Jono Read with the caption "When you've gotta go, you've gotta go," shows Guru-Murthy barely pausing to remove his microphone before dashing off-screen.
Presenter confirms he was rushing to watch World Cup semi-final
It later emerged that the presenter was making a mad dash because he did not want to miss England play Argentina in the World Cup semi-final. Guru-Murthy swiftly replied to the post to confirm what everyone had suspected: "It was 5 minutes to kick off...!" he wrote. The clip spread rapidly across the internet, drawing thousands of delighted reactions.
Footage shows presenter's urgent exit
In the footage, Guru-Murthy wraps up the bulletin in his usual polished fashion before the professional veneer slips. "That's it for this evening. We're back at 7 tomorrow night," he tells viewers, before adding with barely concealed urgency, "Until then, gotta go – bye." With that, he gestures to the camera, yanks off his microphone and earpiece, and disappears off-screen just as the closing theme begins to play.
Fans were equally baffled and amused. One commented on X, "This should be how all news programmes end, none of this staying in your seat and shuffling your papers nonsense." Another asked, "Where did Krishnan rush off to so abruptly?" A third added, "He took off like a storm."
England's World Cup heartbreak
Sadly for Guru-Murthy and millions of England fans, the semi-final did not deliver the fairytale ending the nation had dreamed of. England fell to a 2-1 defeat against Argentina in a bruising encounter, ending their hopes of reaching a first World Cup final since 1966. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time a World Cup has been held across three nations, with 48 countries competing in an expanded format.
England to face France in third-place play-off
England will now face France in the third-place play-off on Saturday, 18th July at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. France were knocked out of the semi-finals by Spain. The match kicks off at 5pm local time, which means coverage begins from 10pm BST for UK viewers.
