Shaun Ley, 51, was clearly dressed for the part from the waist up – but eagle-eyed viewers were quick to point out the news anchor was wearing shorts and deck shoes under the table. For a split second before Mr Ley started reading the news, a wide angle shot of the studio revealed the BBC presenter’s bare legs under the table.

The shot lasted for around three seconds, lingering long enough for viewers to glimpse the spectacle.

One user on Twitter said: “Wow. The BBC’s clothing allowance has clearly taken a hit.

“Late-night presenter Shaun Ley appears to be wearing shorts.

“What next? Fiona Bruce doing question time in a bikini?”

A second user wrote: “Thought shorts and shirts are for postman not for BBC broadcaster.”

One more said: “Is BBC news reader Shaun Ley keeping his cool by wearing shorts? And if so, were viewers meant to find out?”

Replying to that comment, another said: “I, as a kid, always thought newscasters weren’t wearing much from the waist down. I now have proof.”

A fifth said: “BBC World News anchor about 75 years old sitting in a suit at the anchor desk.”

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“Shorts weather has arrived. I will be adopting this look for all work Zoom calls from now until September.”

Justyna Tosun, 34, told The Sun: “I roared with laughter! He’d been reading all this gloomy news when I realised he had no trousers on.

“It was hilarious because he looked like a bank manager from the waist up – and a holidaymaker from the waist down.”

She added: “It was like something out of a comedy show.”