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He is the BBC's latest star - the cab driver who a leading presenter believed was a world expert on the internet music business.

The man stepped unwittingly into the national spotlight when he was interviewed by mistake on the corporation's News 24 channel.

With the seconds ticking down to a studio discussion about a court case involving Apple Computer and The Beatles' record label, a floor manager had run to reception and grabbed the man, thinking he was Guy Kewney, editor of Newswireless.net, a specialist internet publication.

Actually, he was a minicab driver who had been waiting to drive Mr Kewney home.

Despite knowing nothing about the case - a judge ruled that the computer company could continue to use the Apple symbol for its iTunes download service - the man gamely attempted to bluff his way through and, speaking in a strong French accent, sustained a (somewhat illogical) form of conversation. Meanwhile, the real Mr Kewney watched indignantly on a monitor in reception.

BBC, just like Bentham publishers, easy to fool.

Follow up here. And there is a
Wikipedia page about the whole incident.

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Bahah what a hero!

Funniest line in Wikipedia article (which says, by the way, that he was not a taxi driver):

"Goma's face goes through four distinct expressions in under five seconds[citation needed]: shocked realization; blind terror; philosophical resolve and finally determination to do his best."

Wow, the intertubes pick up on a 2006 mix-up in 2009! What speed!

Oh, yeah. 2006 was a REALLY long time ago. Where's your sense of humor? This story is fucking hilarious, even if soooo old.

By Catharine (not verified) on 14 Jun 2009 #permalink

(which says, by the way, that he was not a taxi driver)

Yeah according to wikipedia, he was there waiting for a job interview.

So presumably, when asked to come in for the interview, he didn't realize anything unusual was going on ... until the lights! camera! action! bit started.

Too funny.

Saying he was a cab driver is a you tube glitch. The text came with the video.

By Catharine (not verified) on 14 Jun 2009 #permalink