This is the beautiful moment when a hen party crashed BBC Four's late-night Olympic coverage. pic.twitter.com/urlBmFzzKA
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) August 14, 2016
As proven on last night’s late-night BBC Olympic coverage, anything can happen on live TV.
Presenter Dan Walker was performing an ordinary link section on BBC Four late on Saturday night from Copacabana beach when at least a dozen women stumbled past drinking and singing.
A Brazilian bride-to-be and her bachelorettes marched past Welker as he was trying to introduce the weightlifting.
After asking the cameraman if he’d show the hen party in full flow, he was joined by the bride.
PART TWO: The hen party start chanting "BBC BBC BBC BBC" pic.twitter.com/22Xv6za7jv
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) August 14, 2016
The bride-to-be told viewers she was getting married next month and sent a message to her fiance, even if she did appear to temporarily forget his name.
And it didn’t take long before Welker seemed to regret his decision to bring attention to the party – it was clear the hen party didn’t want to go anywhere. After a few shoutouts from the bride though, he managed to move on with his segment and the ladies moved on with their party.
As Welker noted on Twitter shortly afterwards, a number of things could have gone wrong with the impromptu live interview, but obviously, social media loved it.
How do you solve a problem like Maria? You interview her ? 746 things could have gone wrong but it was great fun. https://t.co/Oo9y6Npnrz
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) August 14, 2016
The most random yet brilliant piece of TV yet this Olympics.@mrdanwalker I salute you.#tvgold#rio216https://t.co/cYFoeZ0mRt
— Stu Rowson (@StuartRowson) August 14, 2016
This Brazilian hen party crashing the BBC coverage is the best part of the Olympics so far https://t.co/7R9FEiFyUn
— Emma Kelly (@TooManyEmmas) August 14, 2016
That footage of the hen party in Rio is beautiful, that's clip of the year right there ! Good luck Maria !
— NathanPhoto (@NathanPhotoMcr) August 14, 2016
And it all ended pretty great for Welker:
Guess what? Hen party Maria (De Cezar) has been in touch today… got an invite to the wedding! ???https://t.co/AzpZUllJcC
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) August 14, 2016