It was late on a Saturday night – April 8, to be exact – when newsreader Natasha Exelby’s career changed forever.
One moment, she was carefully examining her pen as a pre-recorded news package went to air. The next, she had become a viral internet sensation.
That’s because, as she carefully eyed her biro, the camera turned back on without notice, and the accomplished presenter was sprung unawares mid-reverie. Her awkward work-stuff up was broadcast to the entire nation.
That feeling when you’re caught daydreaming at work :) (via @UmmRKSZ ) #mediawatch pic.twitter.com/lRkTbpygfo
— Media Watch (@ABCmediawatch) April 9, 2017
One year on and Natasha is still reflecting on the viral moment that left her feeling “pretty sick”.
“I had some things going through my mind at the time and then it happened so quickly. I was next to the sports presenter, Meredith Sheehan, who I’d never met before then but strikes me as a lovely creature,” Natasha told news.com.au of the moments leading up to her ‘mistake’.
“And after it happened I felt pretty sick and Meredith just said, ‘it’s a Saturday night, don’t worry, no one will be watching.’ I thought to myself, ‘it just takes one’.”
LISTEN: In solidarity with Natasha Exelby, the Mamamia team shared their biggest work stuff-ups. Post continues after audio.
And when she awoke the next morning, Natasha realised how right she was, as she learned just how far the moment had already spread.
“I turned my phone off because it was going ballistic and as a general rule I don’t ever read stories about myself because it generally leads to chocolate binges,” she said.
