AN STV anchorman had a hilarious mishap just moments before going live on air.
Veteran newsreader Norman MacLeod was seconds from beginning his broadcast on Wednesday evening when his chair collapsed beneath him.
The 48-year-old, who is an STV North news presenter and journalist for the northern edition of STV News at six, was unharmed by the comical fall.
Luckily, the six-o’clock cameras were already rolling to capture the side-splitting moment.
Norman, who is originally from Scalpay in the Outer Hebrides, can be seen coming into shot, placing his notes on the desk and clearing his throat.
He then goes to sit down – which is when it all goes wrong.
His chair disappears beneath him with a loud clunk and he goes flying backwards, arms flailing.
There is a pause, and then you can hear him giggling at his own misfortune.
The top half of his head appears on the other side of the desk, with his bushy brows raised as he laughs hysterically.
He clambers to his feet saying “Oh for God’s sake” and then sets about retrieving his office chair, which has disappeared out of sight.
He adds: “I wish that was on camera.”
He puts his pen in his mouth and slings his microphone wire over his back before hoisting the unruly chair back into place.
He continues to giggle as one of the show producers asks if he is ok. He replies with more laughter and sits down – a bit more carefully this time – before announcing: “It just went flying.”
Despite the comical incident, Norman managed to compose himself before going on air and delivering the news.
A video of the fall was uploaded on the STV News website and attracted bemused comments on social media.
Heather Ellington said: “Haha. Good old Norm…pride still intact.”
Steven Dinnie added: “One of today’s unexpected pleasures.”
