The BBC apologised after one of its weathermen was caught making a rude gesture live on air

The BBC was forced to apologise after one of its weathermen was caught making a rude gesture live on air.

Tomasz Schafernaker flipped his middle finger at presenters Simon McCoy and Fiona Armstrong after McCoy said his weather forecast would be "100% accurate and provide all the detail you could possibly want".

The flustered meteorologist then realised he had been caught on camera and tried to cover up what he was doing by pretending to scratch his chin.

A BBC spokesman said: "Tomasz was not aware that he was on air, and whilst the gesture was only shown for a second, it was not acceptable. The News Channel presenter live in the studio acknowledged a mistake had been made, and we apologise for any offence caused."

The Polish-born weatherman began presenting on BBC Southeast Today in 2001 before joining the main BBC channels in 2006.

On his website, he says he is interested in the "weird and wonderful world of the paranormal" and long-distance cycling.

It is not the first time Schafernaker and McCoy have got in trouble.

During a cold spell several years ago, the newsreader handed over to his colleague for a weather forecast with the line "You've got a frozen ball there", causing Schafernaker to have a fit of the giggles.

He ended his forecast saying: "Apologies for the giggling earlier on. I swear it's not my fault. Bye bye."

PA