ABC reporter Elias Clure accidentally drops F-bomb live on air

An ABC reporter has been forced to apologise after a clip of him dropping an F-bomb was accidentally played live on air on Thursday.

Elias Clure was giving an update on the Victorian hotel quarantine situation in Melbourne for News at Noon when he frustratedly said, "Ah f***!"

ABC reporter Elias Clure
ABC reporter Elias Clure has been forced to apologise after a clip of him dropping an F-bomb was accidentally played live on air on Thursday. Photo: ABC

"Alfred Health contracted staff to conduct cleaning, but also — Victoria’s problem plagued hotel system is back in the spotlight, after it revealed … ahh f**k," he says in the clip.

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He also stumbled over a few words and it was clear it was the wrong version of the story that had played.

A cool, calm and collected Ros Childs, back in the studio, told viewers, "Apologies for that, we'll try to see what happened and fix it."

Elias took to Twitter to apologise for the situation, writing, "My sincerest apologies to our great @abcnews viewers! My little moment of frustration was a pre-recorded outtake and never meant to go to air. However good lesson for me to NEVER swear in front of an open mic!!"

He added, "I’ll save my profanities for the next time I’m on that bloody roller coaster."

Fellow ABC News reporter Tamara Oudyn responded, "BREAKING: Elias is human. End of story."

Another user said, "Not a big mistake at at all but very funny making everyone do a double take today!"

Elias quickly apologised on Twitter after the wrong clip played. Photo: Twitter
Elias quickly apologised on Twitter after the wrong clip played. Photo: Twitter

They also shared the video and wrote, "Ran to save this when I heard it! Sometimes these are pre-records where redos are fine, but the wrong recording gets used when pushed to air... If the mistake occurs later in the piece to camera, like here, it's not immediately obvious to the producers. Happens— just poor luck."

Someone else said, "It was a completely understandable human response. Not your fault. Gave us all a bit of a laugh."

Many people came to Elias' defence including his fellow ABC reporter Tamara Oudyn. Photo: Twitter
Many people came to Elias' defence including his fellow ABC reporter Tamara Oudyn. Photo: Twitter

"Don't apologise, that's one of those gold moments in TV," another added.

Lana Murphy who had a similar situation happen in August responded, "Welcome to the club mate."

Elias replied, "Yours as better."

Lana was doing a piece to camera for 9News when she stumbled mid-sentence and said, "F*** my life."

At the time she took to Twitter and wrote, "Thanks for the love friends & apologies to those who got more than they bargained for on @9NewsMelb.

"Unfortunately the wrong version (clearly) of a pre-record made it to air but thankfully I have a great boss and I’ll be back on your screens tomorrow. 2020 though am I right?"

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