A newsreader has gone viral after reacting in horror to being caught daydreaming on live TV.

Natasha Exelby, a freelance TV journalist at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) spectacularly missed her cue when a pre-recorded broadcast cut back to her in the studio over the weekend. She was seen absent-mindedly fiddling with her pen, before realising she was on air and gasping in shock.

Despite her alarm, Exelby was able to quickly recover her composure and continue reading the news. However, after rumours circulated that “humourless management” at the ABC had banned her from appearing on air again, an executive at the TV network has insisted that her job is safe.

Gaven Morris, director of news at the ABC, said that reports that Exelby would be fired or banned from the air are inaccurate.

This news anchor just reminded us why we should all pay attention at work