BBC weatherman caught giving the finger live on air

THE BBC was forced to apologise after one of its weathermen was caught making a rude gesture live on air.

Tomasz Schafernaker flipped his middle finger at presenters Simon McCoy and Fiona Armstrong after McCoy said his weather forecast would be “100% accurate and provide all the detail you could possibly want”.

The flustered meteorologist then realised he had been caught on camera and tried to cover up what he was doing by pretending to scratch his chin.

The camera quickly went back to McCoy who quipped: “There’s always one mistake. That was it.”

A BBC spokesman said: “Tomasz was not aware that he was on air, and whilst the gesture was only shown for a second, it was not acceptable. The News Channel presenter live in the studio acknowledged a mistake had been made, and we apologise for any offence caused.”

The BBC spokesman acknowledged the corporation had received seven complaints.

The Polish-born weatherman began presenting on BBC Southeast Today in 2001 before joining the main BBC channels in 2006.

On his website, he says he is interested in the “weird and wonderful world of the paranormal”.

While it is understood he does not face losing his job, he has previously been in trouble, having to apologise for referring to the Western Isles as “Nowheresville” during a forecast.