Live television certainly is a fickle beast – and it isn’t for the faint of heart either.
Nine News reporter Lee Steele can vouch for the unpredictability of life behind the cameras, with a few cringe-worthy stories up her sleeve.
The Perth mother-of-one shared with 9Honey what it is really like working on a television set and doing live crosses – and it isn’t as glamorous as it may seem.
Nine News reporter Lee Steele (pictured) revealed what life is really like behind the cameras on live television
The Perth mother-of-one described the pitfalls of doing live crosses – including drunk men and harassment
‘I’ve had a drunk man walk in front of the camera and chat to me in the middle of a live cross. I’ve had another man strip down naked and stand behind me,’ Lee wrote.
‘And people still think it’s funny to lean out of a car window and yell obscene things to female reporters, that’s happened a couple of times too.’
But it was the time Lee accidentally has her mic on before reporting on a car crash which really made for a memorable segment.
The newsreader was standing outside a cathedral and hospital in Perth when her sound system was mistakenly connected to the church’s audio.
‘I’ve had a drunk man walk in front of the camera and chat to me in the middle of a live cross. I’ve had another man strip down naked and stand behind me,’ Lee (pictured) said
But it was the time Lee accidentally has her mic on before reporting on a car crash which really made for a memorable segment
As she frantically prepared for her live cross, Lee used ‘colourful language’ while talking to her colleagues – not knowing her words were being broadcasted to a church full of worshippers.
‘We were all very busy and although I can’t remember exactly what I said, there were a few swear words thrown around with reckless abandon,’ she said.
‘Moments later, a reporter from the opposition station ran towards me, telling me a female voice was booming through the church speakers.’
Lee (pictured) says the world of live television can be full of unpredictable moments
The Perth reporter said she accidentally broadcasted her voice – complete with swears – to a church full of worshippers
Lee says the entire service heard every word and was humiliated to hear the audio recording again after her gaffe was picked up by a daily paper.
She was then forced to call her parents and explain why she was splashed across another publication, and sat her boss down to describe what happened.
The red-faced reporter admits the incident – although cringe-worthy – was a valuable lesson which taught her to always check her mic isn’t on before blurting out swear words.