Newsreaders ‘put out their bloopers’ to support Natasha Exelby

The New Daily
Apr 11, 2017, updated Apr 11, 2017

ABC newsreader Natasha Exelby got a shock when she was caught daydreaming on the job. Photo: ABC

Journalists and viewers have unleashed a flood of news bloopers in support of ABC newsreader Natasha Exelby.

Exelby was presenting on ABC News 24 late on Saturday night when she was caught unaware as the camera cut back to her in the studio.

A short clip of her staring intently at her pen before gasping in shock at realising she was live gave many viewers a good laugh.

But a report alleged ABC management had not seen the funny side and had sacked her from any future on-air role. The ABC has since denied this ever happened.

ABC news director Gaven Morris issued a statement on Tuesday saying the broadcaster would “never ever” punish a staff member for a blooper.

“Live television is a demanding art and slip-ups will happen — our presenters are humans, not robots. We take on-air standards extremely seriously, but we don’t expect perfection,” Mr Morris said.

“No one would ever be punished for a blooper and, while it isn’t appropriate to publicly discuss confidential details of people’s personal work arrangements, this has not happened to Natasha.”

Curiously, the statement also said Exelby’s future on-air roles would be “subject to performance management”.

The journalist who reported Exelby’s sacking, Holly Byrnes, stuck by her story, writing on Twitter to Gaven Morris’ account: “You know Natasha Exelby was told she would be taken off air over the blooper. For you to claim otherwise is outrageous.”

Meanwhile, dozens of newsreaders and viewers have shared reams of bloopers in support of Exelby.

Poor Natasha, I know the feeling of being caught unaware #PutYourBloopersOut pic.twitter.com/QSfuAv3iy6

— John Hunt (@JohnHunt1992) April 10, 2017

#PutYourBloopersOut for @NatashaExelby – Didn't realise I was on camera this day either: pic.twitter.com/T71l1IVVej

— Nicola Wood (@WoodNicola) April 10, 2017

https://twitter.com/flick2001/status/851395829541740544

Not sure why ABC has taken Natasha Exelby off air when Virginia Trioli's on air gaffe was worse and she's still on. https://t.co/EAwINP7xtc

— Karen Sweeney (@karenlsweeney) April 10, 2017

At least it wasn't a bulging disc. https://t.co/FIK9YFcGXm #putyourbloopersout

— Alex Csar (@alexonthebus) April 11, 2017

One of the best: Sandy Roberts accidentally introduces Leanne Dick as Leanne Cock #PutYourBloopersOut https://t.co/EhlnJmG2YH via @YouTube

— Luke Foley (@LukeAFoley) April 11, 2017

Peter Hitchener bought his pet seagull to work and NOTHING happened to him . @natashaexelby. #putyourbloopersout @abcnews pic.twitter.com/ckGX6nImng

— Keiron (@RealKeiron) April 11, 2017

https://twitter.com/MarkAiston/status/851591894651908096

https://twitter.com/MarkAiston/status/851420199827808258

One of the best. Stitching up #robcanning with @NatarshaBelling. #putyourbloopersout for @NatashaExelby https://t.co/0Uo7891jqr @byrnesh

— Matt Doran (@mattdoran22) April 10, 2017

That time I didn't know the answer to @tmcmillan9's question. #putyourbloopersout pic.twitter.com/Me2RARojjh

— Michael Genovese (@GenoveseMichael) April 10, 2017