BBC journalist hides behind scripts as snake report triggers phobia

Watch: BBC News host hides from snake clip due to phobia

A BBC journalist faced his worst nightmare live on-air when he had to report on a giant python - with his snake phobia leaving him cowering behind his own scripts.

Ben Thompson was unlucky enough to be given a story about the largest python ever to be recorded in Florida, complete with horrifying footage of a man capturing it by allowing it to wrap itself around him while it flexed its jaws.

Poor BBC News reporter Thompson also happens to have a fear of snakes, which meant he had to hide behind his own news scripts while the clip was shown.

Speaking on BBC News, the 41-year-old looked nervous as he said: "I've been told if you have a fear of snakes to look away now, so I'm not quite sure how I tell you this next story because I hate snakes.

"So I'm going to do it like this..."

Thompson laughed nervously as he held his papers up in front of his face and turned away from the screen.

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Viewers were then shown footage of the python capture as he told them: "What you can see there is actually a Florida duo, they’re known locally as The Glades Boys, capturing what is the longest ever recorded Burmese python in the US state.

"It weighs 125lbs, 19 feet in length and is now, officially, a record-breaking catch."

As Thompson appeared back on screen, he asked: "Has it gone yet?"

But at least Thompson was able to laugh at himself as he later posted a link to his terrifying moment and wrote: "ICYMI: inform, educate AND entertain they said."

Viewers loved the report, with one person posting a screen shot of it and tweeting: "That was so endearing: @BBCBenThompson and his fear of snakes. Well done…"

Someone else commented: "100% with you on this. Can't stand them either!"

Another person wrote: "I’m glad I’m not the only one who couldn’t watch it… I can’t look at them on screen or in books! Why would anyone want to tackle a python?"

One viewer shared: "I’m with you on that one, completely petrified, unfortunately my fear also extends to worms."

Thompson has been challenging himself in other ways recently, too - on Monday he appeared on BBC Breakfast with Sally Nugent to talk about the Lizzo effect of making the flute cool as she often plays it during her performances.

One guest tried to teach Thompson how to play the flute but he wasn't able to get a single note out of it, with Nugent eventually telling him: "We do have a news programme to present...let's go to the headlines."