Viewers puzzled at BBC journalist Jon Sopel's 'magic hands' in Donald Trump news report

'Journalist and magician'
Francesca Gillett28 January 2017

Viewers were left puzzled after a BBC news reporter appeared to have “magic hands” during a TV report on Donald Trump.

Broadcaster Jon Sopel was delivering a news report about the recently-inaugurated President when some viewers were distracted by the sight of his hands.

During the first part of report the North America editor’s hands can be glimpsed bare and glove-free - but just seconds later they reappear in gloves.

Many have been confused over the short segment, wondering how his hands managed to change so quickly.

One Twitter user, Russell Joyce, jokingly asked whether the journalist moonlights as a “sleight of hand magician in his spare time” while another queried whether he uses a stunt double.

'Magic hands': Viewers were left puzzled.
BBC News

BBC foreign correspondent Anna Holligan said: “Journalist and magician.”

Others have asked the broadcaster to explain the glove trick, joking they “need to know”.

Simon Pattern said on Twitter: “Please, don’t mention hands within earshot of #POTUS.”

A closer look at the BBC clip, recorded against the backdrop of the White House, shows a slightly visible movement at the top of Mr Sopel’s arms just before the gloves are seen.

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