Olympics reporter apologises to colleague after moment during live broadcast

A reporter issued an on-air apology to Hazel Irvine after she interrupted the experienced BBC presenter during coverage of the men's slalom competition.

On day 10 of the Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, former World Cup alpine skier Chemmy Alcott was reporting live from Stelvio Ski Centre, the Bormio-based venue that hosts alpine skiing and ski mountaineering events.

Alcott has been involved in the BBC's coverage of the men's alpine skiing, with the headlines belonging to Team GB's Dave Ryding, who brought his impressive career to an end at Milan-Cortina.

Ryding, who was taking part in his fifth Winter Olympic Games, recorded a 17th-place finish. "I really tried everything right until my last turn," he said after the race.

Before taking part in his final run, Ryding and his teammate Billy Major were interviewed by Alcott, who jumped at the chance of speaking to the duo while presenter Hazel Irvine was in the middle of asking a question.

Chemmy Alcott called over Team GB duo Dave Ryding and Billy Major. Image credit: BBC

After grabbing the pair for a chat as they walked past, an apologetic Alcott said: "Oh, here's Dave [Ryding]... Hazel, sorry I know I shouldn't interrupt you, because you're a legend, but I've got two legends here."

Asked about the final stages of the competition, Ryding said: "Let's see if I can find one last run... to be honest, I just struggled because I couldn't see what was under my feet. I just couldn't trust it."

He added: "Too many little scrubs here and there, just compound to a bad run. Unfortunately bad."

Major also commented on the conditions. "As Dave says, you can't see much at all," he said. "I was going well in training, so I was able to trust what I'd been feeling this week. There's not really any opportunity to get a good feeling going, it's very start stop [on the course]."

Alcott once again apologised to Irving following the chat with Ryding and Major.

"So excited for Billy there, showed us how much talent he has. But sorry Hazel back to you. You can start talking to me now! But they were far more important."

Alcott was covering the men's slalom on Day 10 of the Winter Games. Image credit: BBC

Irvine was full of praise for her colleague and responded: "Well I did say before, I wish you'd have a word with Billy and David, and you did, so amazing work from you!"