Michael Buerk - what's that noise?

Firstly I must apologise for the terrible picture and sound quality. Secondly I would just like to say that Michael Buerk in my opinion was the best newsreader that BBC Television News ever had and that I am not criticizing him in anyway in this video. A thing I have noticed is a tapping noise he makes (or made seeing as he is now retired from broadcast journalism) a tapping noise before speaking. Can you hear it? You may have to listen to the first clip again, it is difficult to hear. Michael Buerk can now be heard presenting the Moral Maze on BBC Radio 4

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• BBC
• News
• Michael
• Buerk
• 10
• O'clock
• ten
• nine
• 1990
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• BBC1
• one

[geekymarianne]

Personally, I think he's obeying the old saying of "Knock Wood" (for luck).

[1218174]

I think you've got it in one; never thought of that before. Must be nerve wracking even for the most experienced, knowing that millions of people are watching you and listening to everything you say.

[angelicMisha]

Wow! Where'd you get the time to notice that?! :p Yeah Michael Buerk's one of my favourite newsreader's too. What ever happened to him, I miss him :(

[1218174]

Yeah he was great! I think I noticed it when I searched his name in YouTube lol. Unfortunately I think if he had of still been with the BBC he would have been presenting News 24 like Peter Sissons =/

[fraserkatie]

I think he does it as a good luck thing or it's just a habit he has.

[mantelle2010]

I dreampt of him wearin a skirt!

[Jerram89]

If I had to guess it's actually something done intentionally to give the sound engineer one last check that Buerk's Mic level is still up and good before he starts reading the news.

[Jimmyson07]

Pen tap on table, gets very addictive. I do it too.

[johnmartin1097]

If Michael has a computer, he may be clicking his mouse??

[YouBizty]

Ive met him

[hilarioph]

I think he needs to live bbc right?

[BlackmoonUK]

"asthmatic pit pony" - Hahaha! That made me laugh.

[longerdaysdying]

the tap with the pen is in fact a very brief newsflash for members of Buerk's pet charidy..."woodpecker's against female news broadcasters", of which Buerk is a patron.

Check out toad faced ex political editor John Sargent's wheezing deep breaths he makes every time just before he speaks...he sounds like an asthmatic pit pony.

[ndgreenaway]

i always noticed this, its like a ritual thing, he taps the pen on the desk..thats all...quite qwerky,good newsreader adds a scene of drama to the opening headlines i always liked