London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jul 28, 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
Badenoch Offers Tory Votes to Keep Serious Offenders in Prison
Why Americans Queue for $15 Ice Cream and a $100 Caviar Pint
Another AI Genius Left the United States — and Silicon Valley Is Starting to Worry
Shein Reports $99mn Loss as Trade Barriers Test Low-Cost Model
CXMT Gains 466% in China’s Biggest IPO Since 2010
Amazon Seeks Approval for 5,105-Satellite Mobile Network
Burnham Puts School-to-Work Reform at Centre of Welfare Strategy
Johnson & Johnson Agrees to $5.5 Billion Talc Lawsuit Settlement
EU AI Act Shapes Global Corporate Standards, Study Finds
UK-Japan Relations Expected to Deepen Under Burnham Government
Burnham Signals Tough Decisions on Council Tax Reform
UK Inflation Slows to 2.6% in June
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 3.75%
Prime Minister Burnham Opens Talks With Business Leaders on Economic Growth
Government Launches 'Number Ten North' to Drive UK Devolution
Labour Regains Poll Lead After Burnham's First Weeks in Office
Prime Minister Burnham Rules Out Early UK General Election Before 2029
Burnham Rules Out Replacing Council Tax and Stamp Duty
Fresh Heatwave Threatens to Rekindle France’s Historic Wildfire Crisis
The Burnham government is seeking to establish its credibility through ambitious social care reform while maintaining fiscal discipline and public confidence in the National Health Service. Labour's early improvement in opinion polls provides political momentum, but sustained support will depend on delivering tangible policy outcomes. Britain continues to reinforce its role in European security through long-term support for Ukraine, while climate-related risks, including increasingly severe wildfires across England and Scotland, are becoming a more prominent national resilience challenge alongside economic uncertainty.
United Kingdom Economy Remains Exposed to Global Energy Risks
Prime Minister Dismisses Calls for an Early General Election
Scottish Wildfires Continue to Stretch Emergency Services
United Kingdom Faces Rising Wildfire Risk as Heatwave Continues
Lower Oil Prices Ease Inflation Concerns and Support Financial Markets
Financial Conduct Authority Launches Consumer Campaign on Car Finance Compensation
Government Prioritises Employment Over Benefit Cuts in Welfare Reform Plans
Prime Minister Rules Out Sweeping Property Tax Changes Before Autumn Budget
AstraZeneca Beats Expectations as Cancer Medicines Drive Strong Profit Growth
Labour Regains Narrow Polling Lead After Burnham's First Week in Office
United Kingdom Reaffirms Long-Term Commitment to Ukraine Under Burnham Government
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Makes Social Care Reform the First Major Test of His Government
Following OpenAI's Cyberattack: 'Most Companies Still Do Not Understand What Is Coming'
Autopsy Finds No Violence in Death of Epstein-Linked Model Scout
Indian Education Minister Resigns After Cockroach Youth Protests
California Desert Data-Centre Plan Stalls as Water and Power Disputes Mount
Northern Ireland Border Security Tightened After Military-Grade Explosive Interception
British Hospitality Sector Targets Summer Visitors Through Regional Promotions
England River Access Debate Intensifies After New Data Shows Limited Public Access
Royal Navy Strengthens Maritime Vigilance Amid Rising Security Concerns
UK Education Department Expands Mental Health Support for Young People Entering Work
UK Tourism Industry Launches Summer Campaigns to Boost Domestic Travel
North England Transport Plans Advance to Support Industrial Growth
Financial Markets Watch New Government’s Economic Strategy as Investors Assess Fiscal Risks
Royal Navy Continues Monitoring Russian Naval Activity Near UK Waters
UK Care Workers May Receive Immigration Exemptions Under Proposed Visa Changes
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper Begins Emergency Talks to Address NHS Staffing Shortages
UK Banks Launch High-Interest Savings Offers to Attract Household Deposits
North Sea Oil Drilling Projects Face Delays After Offshore Equipment Accident
Cairngorms Wildfire Highlights Growing Pressure on UK Emergency Services
×