BBC presenter says niece’s surprise party was a ‘success’ after live TV blunder

A BBC presenter who revealed her niece was thrown a surprise party live on TV has said the bash was a “huge success” despite her “unintentional blunder”.

BBC Weather’s Kawser Quamer let slip that his niece was getting a surprise birthday party while discussing her weekend plans live with presenter Annabel Tiffin, accidentally ruining the big reveal.

The moment, which had both presenters laughing, attracted national media attention and caused a stir on X, formerly Twitter, as other BBC presenters shared their reactions and viewers expressed concerns that the surprise could be spoiled.

In a post on X in the early hours of Monday morning, Quamer said: “My gagging order has now been lifted – and I can safely reveal that my niece’s surprise birthday party tonight was a huge success!

“I was almost disowned and dubbed the ‘Tom Holland’ of my ‘Marvel’ family – but all’s well that ends well and she was really surprised!”

Spider-Man actor Holland has previously come under fire for accidentally revealing spoilers about Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

The TV and radio presenter said that although her niece eventually saw the video clip circulating online, her family had thrown a separate surprise party the week before, which thankfully threw her off track.

Quamer posted: “She eventually saw the video and some of the media reports too – but luckily for me we had managed to throw another niece, her younger cousin, a surprise 16th birthday party last week – so this niece thought I was talking about that party instead – and we luckily avoided correcting her! Phew.

“Anyway, THANK YOU for your wonderful interest, concern, comments and kind birthday wishes.

“I’m so grateful that my poor unintentional blunder didn’t ruin my niece’s special day!

“She laughed so hard she cried! This will definitely be a birthday NONE of us will forget!”

In response to Quamer’s post, BBC South News reporter Edward Sault wrote: “That was great, Kawser! Glad you all had a great weekend.”

BBC Wales journalist Sue Charles added: “Absolutely brilliant, Kawser. And the solidarity… we were all there to improvise!”

BBC North West has shared a clip of the moment with X where Quamer sat down with Tiffin for an informal chat after his weather report ended.

After revealing she would be attending her niece’s surprise party this weekend, Tiffin replied: “Oh, that’s sweet. But it’s no surprise she’s watching this.”

The couple burst out laughing and Quamer said, “Oh my God, I ruined the surprise.”

BBC North West captioned the clip: “Don’t worry @KawserQuamer there’s only a few hundred thousand people watching live on TV and millions more saw it here on X!

“Happy birthday to your niece!”