CHARLIE Pickering almost made it through the New Year’s Eve coverage on ABC without a gaffe until the final seconds.

As Pickering counted down to 2018 he said: “Are you ready to count down to the magical moment, the only time it’s OK to kill a police officer... ah, kiss a police officer without asking?”

Pickering was quick to say sorry for the “slip of the tongue” after what had been an otherwise seamless broadcast by the ABC.

Thanks to everyone for watching #NYEABC tonight. Apologies for the slip of the tongue at the end. And a big shout out to all of the police keeping us safe tonight. — Charlie Pickering (@charliepick) December 31, 2017

The ABC coverage was a change from recent years, with a focus on live music rather than the “pub quiz” or comedy sketch.

Jimmy Barnes performed classics Khe Sanh and Working Class Man as part of the Countdown tribute, along with performances from John Paul Young doing a Love Is In The Air sing-a-long.

It was former Australian Idol winner Casey Donovan that stole the show with a cover of Nutbush City Limits.

And after previous New Year’s Eve coverage from the ABC has copped plenty of criticism, it was mainly positive this year.

“The secret was clearing the decks of anyone inclined to talk too much and handing the night over to people who could sing,” Fairfax reported.

So rather than let the hosts dominate and leave the ABC open to stuff ups, the focus was on live music.

But some viewers were not happy with the host of The Weekly after his “kill” police gaffe at the end.

According to #SydNYE it’s okay to kill a Police officer. Thanks for ruining the last 6 seconds of 2017 😐 — Kirsty (@cactusgirrl) December 31, 2017

#SydNYE “a good time to kill a police officer...” @ABCNetwork, any explanation? — Sam Thiedeman (@Sam_Thiedeman) December 31, 2017

Would be amusing for the cops to pay @charliepick a visit. They can ask him if he was joking or not. Cops can provide the punchline — Dr Jangeng Dibantang CAA (@jangengdibantin) December 31, 2017

Pickering’s “slip of the tongue” continues a poor run for the ABC since taking over the fireworks coverage from Nine.

Last year hosts Ella Hooper and Jeremy Fernandez were so distracted chatting to Hoodoo Gurus front man Dave Faulkner that the band’s drummer had to remind them to start the countdown when he startled frantically pointing at the clock behind him.

In 2014, the fireworks display was obstructed by comedian HG Nelson’s head, and host Julia Zemiro was heard saying “Oh thank God” at the end of the broadcast when she thought her mic was off.