This is the dramatic moment a weather presenter fainted on live TV – but not before apologising to her colleagues first. BBC South East Today weather forecaster Rachel Mackley was giving a report on the show when she appeared to become short of breath. The mother-of-one then looked at presenters Polly Evans and Rob Smith and announced:
‘I’m so sorry, I’m going to faint’.
See the video of the incident after the break
At that point the 33-year-old held her hands together and started stumbling backwards off the set. She then put her arm out for balance as her concerned co-presenters called for assistance. Mr Smith could be heard saying:
‘Quick, quick chaps, if we could sort Rachel out there.’
The director then cut away as Ms Evans said:
‘We just need to have a check on Rachel there.’
A number of people wrote to the BBC following the incident to check on the weather reporter, who has presented on BBC’s South East Today since 2011. Ms Mackley was later praised on social media for her professionalism. Taking to Twitter, BBC South East confirmed that Ms Mackley was fine following the incident. A spokesman wrote:
‘Just to let you know our weather presenter Rachel is up on her feet and will be absolutely fine.
BBC sports reporter Claire Cottingham also tweeted:
‘Just spoken to Rachel Mackley and she’s doing okay. Scary moment on South East Today but she’s doing alright.’