Huw Edwards deals with BBC News at 10 technical glitch like an absolute pro

A technical glitch meant that for four long minutes BBC News at 10 broadcast footage of Huw Edwards sitting in absolute silence.

The fault happened just before the BBC News broadcast was due to go live on air, but newsreader Edwards styled it out by scanning his papers and writing notes as the studio cameras continued to roll.

The clip below comes from the BBC News channel, which unlike the feed on iPlayer or BBC1 was not able to switch back to the continuity announcer to stall for time. It’s not until four minutes in to the video that Edwards is able to begin his regular broadcast.

BBC News at 10 editor Paul Royall later explained on Twitter that the broadcaster’s technical system had crashed seconds before going on air, forcing the director to switch to a back-up system.

FYI technical system crash seconds before 10. Director had to switch to a back-up system ASAP. @huwbbc doing great job #BBCNewsTen

— Paul Royall (@paulroyall) June 20, 2017

Not quite, but it was all hands on deck behind the scene #bbcnewsten https://t.co/hp8DCCdqkx

— Colleen Harris (@ColleenLHarris) June 20, 2017

Edwards posted a picture of a well-earned Welsh beer, saying, “I think I’m going to enjoy this little beauty after that Ten. Iechyd da! [Welsh for ‘Cheers’]”

However, although the BBC newsroom was frantically trying to fix the problem, viewers at home quite appreciated the comparatively tranquil start to the nightly news broadcast.

Huw doodling in silence is probably the best possible replacement for the news. pic.twitter.com/11R16k8zab

— Jono (@jonoread) June 20, 2017

Watching Huw Edwards do nothing on BBC news is kinda absorbing, like a lava lamp

— Ian Ford (@ij_ford) June 20, 2017

3 minutes of 'BBC Mindfulness at Ten, with Huw Edwards..' could catch on — https://t.co/3C1EqkPyB9

— Rt Hon Sir Peter Mannion KCB MP (@PeterMannionMP) June 20, 2017

Absolute masterclass from @huwbbc right now on #bbcone ! ????????

— Ben Mundy (@benmundy) June 20, 2017

To be honest, we could all do with a little break from the rolling news this year.

I wish BBC News would always just broadcast Huw Edwards sitting in silence, it's far better than having to hear the actual headlines #BBC1

— Daniel (@Daniel_W12) June 20, 2017