DAN Walker had to improvise after technical blunder threw a pivotal moment on 5 News at 5 into disarray.
Newsreader and journalist Dan joined Channel 5 in 2022, after previously working for BBC Breakfast.
With several years of telly experience under his belt, Dan held it together when faced with an unplanned disruption to the programme.
The 47-year-old had been interviewing Craig Ferguson, not to be confused with the comedian of the same name, who has taken on an epic fundraising challenge.
Craig plans to walk 1,000 miles from Hampden Park in Glasgow to Munich to raise funds for Brothers In Arms, a mental healthcharity.
While speaking to the keen walker on 5 News at 5, Dan asked what Craig would be wearing while doing the challenge.
Craig responded: “With it being Scotland-related and Tartan Army related, it would be daft of me not to do this 1,000 miles with a kilt on.”
Moving the conversation on, Dan said: “I’m not going to ask the illegal question about what a Scotsman’s wearing underneath his kilt. We’re on the wrong time of night for that.
“I am slightly concerned about chafing with all that walking.
“Have you got cycling shorts underneath there at some stage?”
Unfortunately, the screen froze before Craig could answer to which Dan said the guest had frozen ‘at the crucial moment.’
He added: “I’ll get the answer to that question and I’ll tell you on tomorrow’s programme.
“Thank you so much for watching. We wish Craig and all of his friends all the very best for a brilliant cause.
“What a time to freeze!”
One viewer enthusiastically wrote on social media: “Has to be done in our Euros Tartan Kilt!”
It comes as Dan posted a cryptic message on social media following a HR-led serious misconduct probe being dismissed by Channel 5.
The probe found Dan, a committed Christian, had done nothing wrong.
Former Football Focus presenter Dan wrote to his followers: “When you win, be kind.
“When you are upset, be kind. When you are ignored, be kind.
“When you are in doubt, be kind. When you are disappointed, be kind. Always be kind. Even if no one is looking.”
Dan Walker's BBC Timeline
Dan Walker was a long-running star of BBC Breakfast but his career with the broadcaster began a long time before he made it to the big red sofa.
- 2004– Dan begins working as a sports reporter at BBC local news programme, North West Tonight, in Manchester.
- 2005– He receives a nomination for Best Nations and Regions Sports Presenter or Commentator at the Royal Television Society Sports Awards just a year into the role.
- 2006– Dan moved to London and secured his first national TV role as a reporter at Wimbledon.
- 2009– He is chosen to become the new face of the BBC’s Football Focus replacing Manish Bhasin.
- 2010– Dan becomes one of the leading presenters stationed at England’s base for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
- 2016– Dan is chosen to replace the long-standing Bill Turnbull on BBC Breakfast. He hosted alongside Louise Minchin until 2021 before being paired with Sally Nugent.
- 2016– He secures a role as a lead presenter for the Beeb’s coverage of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- 2020– The star is hired to be the new host of The NFL Show, replacing Mark Chapman.
- 2021– Dan begins to slim down his work with the BBC and quits his job at Football Focus after 15 years. He is replaced by Alex Scott.
- 2021– He is paired with Nadiya Bychkova on Strictly Come Dancing.
- 2022– He loses his role on The NFL Show as the show is moved to ITV. Dan is replaced by Laura Woods.
- April 2022– Dan quits the BBC and confirms his plans to leave BBC Breakfast
- June 2022– Dan joins Channel 5 News
- December 2022– Makes his last-known non-news appearance on the BBC during a pre-recorded episode of The Weakest Link.