Robert Peston’s ‘Oh Shit’ In The Coronavirus Press Conference Captures The National Mood

The perils of working from home.
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ITV’s political editor Robert Peston inadvertently captured the spirit of the coronavirus age by swearing on national television while wrestling with the technicalities of working from home.

The broadcaster was one of a number of journalists asking a question at the daily online Downing Street press conference as chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a package of measures to help the self-employed through the outbreak.

“We go next to Robert Peston from ITV,” said Sunak, inviting a question from the social distancing hack.

“Oh shit,” came the reply after several seconds of silence.

“Afternoon, Robert,” the chancellor responded, diplomatically.

...did Peston just open with: "Oh shit?"

— Patrick Maguire (@patrickkmaguire) March 26, 2020

“We go next to Robert Peston from ITV.”
“Oh shit.”
“Afternoon, Robert.” pic.twitter.com/urMmyYch1s

— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) March 26, 2020

Please @peston don’t say shit on national radio and TV. Thanks old bean. X

— Eddie Mair (@eddiemair) March 26, 2020

Peston later took to Twitter to explain the problem, revealing: “Screen froze at precisely the moment chancellor turned to me!”

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