BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri appeared to give the middle finger live on air in an awkward blunder.

The reporter had been fronting the midday news on Wednesday, but seemed unaware that she was on camera when she made the rude gesture as the bulletin began.

She was pulling a funny face before quickly recovering as she began the report, clearly aware that she was now on air.

‘Live from BBC London, this is BBC News,’ Maryam, who went viral weeks ago for demonstrating the moon, said, ignoring the moment before.

As the video made its way around social media, people were in hysterics at the faux pas.

The BBC has been no stranger to awkward blunders in recent months, including presenters relaxing before realising they’re still on air, and people caught in the background accidentally.

In 2010, a similar error occurred when a weather presenter also gave the middle finger, without realising they were on camera.

Realising his mistake, he tried to disguise it by scratching his face, but the BBC was forced to apologise.

‘The News Channel presenter in the studio acknowledged a mistake had been made, and we apologise for any offence caused,’ 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.’