ABC News, Daniel Ziffer: ‘Phallic’ object seen in background of Zoom call

ABC News viewers were left stunned on Wednesday after noticing a large ‘phallic object’ in the background of a reporter’s Zoom call.

Melbourne-based reporter Daniel Ziffer was presenting a segment on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing when eagle-eyed viewers become distracted by a suspicious black item sitting on the shelf behind him.

But not all was as it seemed. 

Hard to miss: ABC News viewers were left stunned on Wednesday after noticing a large phallic object (circled) in the background of a reporter Daniel Ziffer’s Zoom call

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It turns out the object, which some wrongly suspected was a marital aid, was in fact a vintage Geelong Cats scarf.

What appeared at first glance to be the shiny surface of a dildo was actually the black and white scarf folded over itself.

One viewer even called The Kyle and Jackie O Show to say: ‘I just had a look up at the television screen and beside me was ABC News… they crossed over to this bloke and on the bookshelf behind him. I swear it’s a dildo.’ 

After watching the footage, radio host Kyle Sandilands laughed: ‘It is a dildo!’ 

‘I can’t think what else that could be!’ his co-anchor Jackie ‘O’ Henderson gasped. 

As he studied close-up footage of the bookshelf, Kyle observed: ‘Clearly, to the right side of the guy’s head – mouth height by the way – there’s a big black dildo.’ 

Please explain: Mr Ziffer was presenting a segment on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing when fans become distracted by a suspicious black item sitting on the shelf behind him

Surprise! But not all was as it seemed, because it turns out the object, which some wrongly suspected was a marital aid, was in fact a vintage Geelong Cats scarf

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Mystery solved! What appeared at first glance to be the shiny surface of a dildo was actually the black and white scarf folded over itself

The sighting comes just a year after a Zoom interview with BBC Wales went viral for featuring an apparent sex toy in the background.

Bartender Yvette Amos had appeared on the news to discuss her battle with unemployment when viewers noticed an explicit object on the bookshelf.

The ‘sex toy’ was placed on the top shelf alongside several board games and books. 

‘I can’t think what else that could be!’ One viewer even called The Kyle and Jackie O Show to say: ‘I just had a look up at the television screen and beside me was ABC News… they crossed over to this bloke and on the bookshelf behind him. I swear it’s a dildo’

Convinced: As he studied close-up footage of the bookshelf, Kyle Sandilands observed: ‘Clearly, to the right side of the guy’s head – mouth height by the way – there’s a big black dildo’

Footage from Ms Amos’ interview quickly went viral after it was posted to Twitter. 

Some users speculated the item was a ‘novelty candle’, while others believed Yvette may have been pranked by her friends or family shortly before going on air.

One Twitter user said: ‘You’ve got to feel sorry for her… what are mates like?’

Can you spot it? The sighting comes just a year after a Zoom interview with BBC Wales went viral for featuring an apparent sex toy in the background 

A second wrote: ‘Someone is going to be in trouble when she finds out what they have done.’

Some viewers suggested the rude item was placed on the shelf on purpose, with one person writing: ‘It was a setup. Why on earth have the camera set up so it has most of the room in view.’ 

Local journalist Grant Tucker meanwhile tweeted of the faux pas: ‘Perhaps the greatest guest background on the BBC Wales news tonight. Always check your shelves before going on air.’ 

Plain as day: The sex toy was placed on the top shelf alongside several board games and books

Getting noticed: Local journalist Grant Tucker meanwhile tweeted of the faux pas: ‘Perhaps the greatest guest background on the BBC Wales news tonight. Always check your shelves before going on air’