This what happens when you let a rogue toddler roam free during a live news broadcast.
Anchor Alastair Stewart was supposed to be giving ITV News viewers simple guidelines on testing for milk today – until a little Iris Wronka stole his limelight.
She was filmed edging around Alastair’s desk as introduced an interview with her mother Lucy Wronka about new guidelines on testing for milk allergies in babies.
The presenter informed viewers that Iris ‘will do whatever she chooses to do for the next couple of minutes’, before continuing with the interview.
Then the youngster took centre-stage, climbing onto the desk and trying to high-five Alastair.
The toddler circles the ITV News desk as she prepares to climb on
Alastair struggles to continue interviewing her brother as she prepares to jump on the desk
The presenter remained composed throughout as the little girl’s brother, George, struggled to answer questions on whether he missed milk, obviously distracted by his sister’s antics.
The girl’s mother also managed to keep a straight face, giving her views on raising children with the allergy.
The interview on milk allergy was almost derailed by the toddler takeover on ITV News
Having stifled laughter throughout the broadcast, the veteran newscaster joked at the end of the segment: ‘Mary Nightingale, I think, will have a more peaceful time at 6.30.
‘From all of us, a very good afternoon to you.’
Viewers and journalists took to Twitter to share their amusement about the ITV Lunchtime News incident.
Finally, she climbs onto the desk as her mother struggles to remain composed
ITV News political correspondent Paul Brand praised his colleague, Tweeting: ‘TODDLER TAKEOVER! Best lunchtime news ever.
‘Well done @ alstewitn for holding fort!’
ITV News’ royal editor Chris Ship said: ‘What happens when mum comes into the studio with the kids. Live on @itvnews. Top work by @alstewitn.’
Responding to Ship’s message, BBC’s Today presenter Nick Robinson wrote: ‘Nice. One of my kids licked the desk when they came in.’
Alastair was asking the girl’s brother how he felt about his milk allergy and whether it changed his sister’s behaviour
And NBC News’s Alastair Jamieson said it was the ‘best ever ITV Lunchtime News as @ alstewit battles rogue toddler guest,’ and BBC News correspondent hailed the ‘tremendous chaos’.
Viewer Julie Matthias congratulated Alastair’s composure, writing: ‘A serious interview with happy children”, adding: “High five at the end. Good man!’
Another user claimed to have ‘Tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks!’
The toddler takeover comes months after two little children caused chaos and hilarity by interrupting their BBC expert dad’s live stream.
Robert Kelly of the Department of Political Science at Pusan National University was offering his expertise on the South Korean president’s impeachment when his two children burst into his office.
A woman followed them, grabbing both children and struggling to get them out.