ABC make surreal blunder with joke clip during MH17 coverage

ABC News 24 has produced an excruciating live TV blunder when it accidentally inserted a British comedy clip into its otherwise solemn coverage of the MH17 plane crash anniversary today.

An ABC reporter was conducting a live cross from Canberra, setting up a transitional piece into what should have been a pre-recorded interview with the man who led the recovery of the bodies of Australian victims when the mistake happened.

Instead of the interview, somehow ABC cut away into a promotional clip of British comedy ‘Black Books’ with character Bernard Black screaming “What? What?” along with canned audience laughter from the production.

Some 10 seconds later, the reporter re-appeared on-screen, looking slightly rattled, and apologised for the channel’s bungle.

ABC then booted up the correct interview with Sir Angus Houston, who recounted his experience on the ground in Ukraine.

The broadcaster is yet to comment on the incident.