London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Apr 10, 2026

It's been 15 years since best worst case of mistaken identity on BBC News

It's been 15 years since best worst case of mistaken identity on BBC News

Today marks 15 years since Guy Goma was accidentally interviewed on BBC News.


The computer technician had been visiting the corporation for a job interview, however, in the mother of all mix-ups, he ended up being grilled on live TV after being mistaken for technology expert Guy Kewney.

Goma expertly managed the nightmare situation and when he realised he’d been brought in to comment on technology Apple Computer’s court case with the Beatles’ record label, Apple Corps, he attempted to answer the questions thrown at him.

His face upon realising he was on TV is one we’ll never forget.

But how did the whole shenanigan actually happen?

Goma had been waiting in the main reception area of the BBC Television Centre to be interviewed for a job as an accountant in the corporation’s IT department, according to reports.

Guy Goma didn’t shy away from answering questions like a pro


At the same time, Guy Kewney, a technology expert, was in another reception area gearing up for a live television interview on the subject of the Apple court case.

A producer was sent to get Kewney was told that Kewney was in the main reception area. When he asked the receptionist where Guy Kewney was, they pointed to Goma, even after they asked if they were sure this was the right person.

The producer had seen a photo of Kewney, but only had five minutes before the live interview was due to take place. They approached Goma and asked him if he was ‘Guy’.

Hearing his first name, Goma confirmed he was Guy, and was then led to the News 24 studio, put into makeup, and ushered to the television studio, where he was seated in front of the cameras and wired up with a microphone.

Guy Kewney was the one who was meant to be interviewed


Although he thought the situation was strange, he still believed he was about to participate in a job interview.

The penny only dropped when Goma was introduced by interviewer Karen Bowerman as internet expert Guy Kewney, and he was visibly shocked by the mix-up.

Aware that he was on live television, Goma attempted to answer questions about the case and its ramifications for the music industry.

Meanwhile, Kewney was still in the waiting area and was shocked when he saw Goma interviewed in his place, though he was not able to hear the audio.

According to legend, Goma attended his job interview 20 minutes after the television blunder, but wasn’t hired.

Some time later, Goma and Kewney met.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Starmer and Trump Hold Strategic Talks on Securing Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Unofficial Australia Visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Expected to Stir Tensions with Royal Circles
New Analysis Explores UK Budget Mechanics in ‘Behind the Blue’ Feature
Man Arrested After Four Die in Channel Crossing Tragedy
UK Tightens Immigration Framework with New Sponsor Rules and Fee Increases
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
Public Reaction Divides Over UK Decision to Bar Kanye West
Calls Grow for UK to Review US Base Access Following Concerns Over Escalating Rhetoric
UK Indicates It Will Not Permit Use of Its Bases for Potential US Strikes on Iran’s Energy Infrastructure
UK Prime Minister Defends Decision to Bar Kanye West, Questions Festival Booking
UK Accelerates Efforts to Harmonise Medical Technology Rules with United States
Wireless Festival Cancelled After Kanye West Denied Entry to the United Kingdom
Australia’s most decorated living soldier was arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with five counts of war-crime murder for the killing of unarmed Afghan civilians
The CIA’s Secret Technology That Can Find You by Your Heartbeat Successfully Locates Downed Airman
Operation Europe: Trump Deploys Vance to Hungary to Save the EU
King Charles Faces Criticism From Some UK Christians Over Absence of Easter Message
Former UK Defence Secretary Raises Concerns Over Ability to Counter Iran Missile Threat
UK Signals Non-Involvement in Iran Conflict as Trump Reasserts Firm Deterrence Stance
US and UK Strengthen Medical Device Cooperation Following Tariff Removal
Trump Backs Steve Hilton for California Governor, Highlighting Reform Agenda
UK Seeks Closer Ties With Anthropic as AI Policy Divergence Emerges Across Atlantic
Experts Warn of Evolving Extremism After Teens Arrested in UK Ambulance Arson Case
UK Convenes Talks to Safeguard Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz After Conflict Escalation
Trump Highlights Strong Leadership in Critique of UK Stance on Iran
×