The clip, as expected, went viral.
It wasn’t the worst thing that could happen on air – we’ve seen much worse. Nor was it the worst mistake that could happen at work – our team regularly stuffs up, although not quite as publicly.
But still, according to the Daily Telegraph, the ABC has moved to ban Exelby from on-air roles. (Update: While the ABC initially refused to comment on the matter, it has since released a statement saying “reports that Natasha has been “banned”, “barred” or “fired” are untrue.”)
Last night, social media came to Exelby’s defense, with a number of newsreaders declaring their biggest on-air stuff-ups via the hashtags #PutYourBloopersOut and #putyourpensoutfortash.
Tracey Spicer revealed she’s fainted twice on air, Sarah Harris said she’s “dropped the F bomb”, Ashleigh Gillon said she’d once been caught eating a Tim Tam on air.
Meanwhile, a Change.org petition urging the ABC to reinstate Exelby has overnight attracted 2120 supporters, and looks set to hit its goal of 2500 shortly.
Mistakes are part of work and life. Thank you to all the newsreaders who can so publicly remind us that things don’t always go according to plan.
Ok, Aussie TV presenters, let’s get around @NatashaExelby over this and #PutYourBloopersOut https://t.co/ghBOtIPVif
— Holly Byrnes (@byrnesh) April 10, 2017
@byrnesh @NatashaExelby I fainted twice and said “fuck” once. To paraphrase @billybragg reading live news is an Accident Waiting To Happen. #putyourbloopersout
— Tracey Spicer (@TraceySpicer) April 10, 2017
Reading Triple J news I declared Pat Rafter won the tennis “in straight sex but had to be treated for a groin injury” #putyourbloopersout https://t.co/t6nikJFqQu
— Shelly Horton 💃🏻 (@ShellyHorton1) April 10, 2017
#PutYourBloopersOut @NatashaExelby SBS News – Lee Lin Chin blooper: “Who is that handsome…?” https://t.co/ghXn9VJB3M
— Flick (@flick2001) April 10, 2017
. @byrnesh among the many I once referred to Malcolm Turnbull as @farrm51 #PutYourBloopersOut
— Kieran Gilbert (@Kieran_Gilbert) April 10, 2017
I did this. #PutYourBloopersOut https://t.co/PpcNSWjRpg
— Joe Hildebrand (@Joe_Hildebrand) April 10, 2017
@byrnesh @DavidCampbell73 Too many to mention – I’ve been sleep deprived for the past 5 years! Hang in there @NatashaExelby xx #PutYourBloopersOut
— Wendy Kingston (@Wendy_Kingston) April 10, 2017