Appearing on national TV shows like Today for the first time is a nerve-racking task at the best of times.
Mortified guest Lynne Bilston had that compounded Wednesday, when she heard: ‘Here to tell us more is the commander of the NSW Financial Crime Squad.’
But Lynne Bilston isn’t, nor has she ever been commander of the NSW Financial Crime Squad – it becoming immediately apparent they’d cut to the wrong guest.
Wrong girl: Appearing on national TV shows like Today for the first time is a nerve-racking task at the best of times – as road safety expert Lynne Bilston found out the hard way on Wednesday
It all started when fill-in Today co-host Lara Vella played a clip showing members of the NSW Police singing a cyber-safety Christmas carol.
Introducing Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett, Lara joked: ‘It is certainly a catchy tune! I reckon you are hoping that people will remember those lyrics, too?’
It was the stuff of nightmares, Lynne’s heart sinking, a ball of nerves notching in her throat: ‘Sorry,’ she offered, ‘I’m actually here to talk about road safety.’
‘I’m not from the police.’
Why are they playing this? It all started when fill-in Today co-host Lara Vella played a clip showing members of the NSW Police singing a cyber-safety Christmas carol
The shock of public embarrassment was quickly thrust onto Lara, who experienced the exact same feeling as she quickly realised there’d been a mix-up.
Understandably thinking fast, poor Lara failed to address or apologise the embarrassed guest, instead opting to steady the ship.
‘Okay, we’ll definitely come back to Detective Superintendent for more on that,’ she said, the camera still trained on road safety expert Lynne.
Introducing Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett, Lara joked: ‘It is certainly a catchy tune! I reckon you are hoping that people will remember those lyrics, too?’
‘I’m not from the police’: It was the stuff of nightmares, Lynne’s heart sinking, a ball of nerves notching in her throat: ‘Sorry,’ she offered, ‘I’m actually here to talk about road safety’
‘We will throw to Deb now. Thank you!’
Twenty minutes later, Lynne finally got her segment, no doubt overcome with relief when she heard the introduction.
Your turn: The shock of public embarrassment was quickly thrust onto Lara, who experienced the exact same feeling as she quickly realised there’d been a mix-up
‘A summer road trip is the ideal trip away but it can also be a dangerous time to drive. Thanfully there are simple steps to improve your safety…’
‘And here to take us through them is road safety expert Lynne Bilston’ – and there she was, this time in her element.
Phew! Twenty minutes later, Lynne finally got her segment, no doubt overcome with relief when she heard the introduction: ‘And here to take us through them is road safety expert Lynne Bilston’