Stephen Warnock narrowly avoids BBC disaster during Euro 2024 commentary

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock was moments away from an on-air disaster as he commentated for BBC Five Live.

The former left-back was the summariser for the clash between Slovenia vs Serbia in Euro 2024 on Thursday alongside Lee Blakeman when he had to catch himself from seemingly almost swearing live on air. A goalless first half gave Warnock and Co little to shout about, but after Slovenia right-back Zan Karnicnik broke the deadlock in the 69th minute, Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena erupted with noise.

As the game hurtled toward a dramatic conclusion, Warnock, who also regularly appears on Sky Sports and the BBC, could hardly contain his excitement that the drab affair had sprung into life. After the strike that put Slovenia a goal to the good, Warnock's co-commentator teed up him up.

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"Slovenia will have a corner, just like that Stephen Warnock, it's come alive," Blakeman said, before Warnock added: "It has come to life, and thank f-." He appeared to suddenly prevent himself from committing the cardinal sin in broadcasting and letting slip a swear word on live on the radio.

Warnock then corrected himself quickly to avoid any confusion of what he was intending to say, adding: "Thank goodness for that." After the fact, Warnock's close-call was then brought to the attention of X users who were able to listen first hand to the averted disaster with a poster saying that "Stephen Warnock’s BBC career just flashed before his eyes".

The post, which has so far racked up 2.2million views, was then quoted by Warnock himself, who not only seemed to take it in good spirits but also cleared up what he was actually trying to say.

He wrote: "A close call, was only trying to say thankfully but decided to change it and then it sounded even worse." The user who posted the initial clip offered his apologies to him, saying: "Sorry for amplifying it mate!"

However, Warnock more than saw the humour in his last gasp actions and replied: "No probs at all, close one but also funny." Warnock, who retired from the game in 2018, won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and League Cup with Liverpool, making 67 appearances for the Reds.

After gradutating from his boyhood club's academy, he went on to play for Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Leeds United amongst others, picking up two caps for his country in the process.