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BBC marks one-year anniversary of “greatest thing that ever happened on TV”

The Kelly family unexpectedly swaggered into millions of viewers' hearts

Happy first viral anniversary to Professor Robert Kelly, Jung-a Kim and their two children Marion and James!

It has been a full year since the Kelly kids burst through the door of Professor Kelly’s study as he was being interviewed live on the BBC, and into the hearts of millions watching around the world.

Speaking about South Korean politics, little did Professor Robert know his high-spirited daughter and son were about to create an impact with their own international incident in the moments before their unexpected appearance.

Marion: marches like no one’s watching… but they were, lots of ’em (Credit: BBC)

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And a joyful impact it was, with the sight of Marion’s arms swinging as she marched through the unlocked door and up to her dad, swiftly followed by the appearance of her younger brother bouncing along in his walker, eager to keep up.

Their mother wasn’t quite as carefree as she fell over herself trying to haul her kids out of the room just seconds later.

But it was very, very funny to see both her and her husband try to shoo away their curious kids as Professor Kelly attempted to finish the interview with some decorum.

It wasn’t long before the cute and hilarious clip spread across social media – and Professor Robert had an inkling it could do so.

It was a spectacular viral event with young Marion’s extraordinarily sweet swagger in particular becoming a hit meme and a GIF dispatched regularly by social media users to illustrate a carefree attitude.

On Saturday, March 10, the BBC tweeted out a clip of the adorable interview, with users hailing #BBCdad as one of their “favourite TV moments of all time” and a moment that “will never not make me laugh out loud”.

Another added: “Probably the greatest thing to ever happen on live TV.”

The greatest thing to happen on TV ever? (Credit: YouTube)

Despite trying to ease his children out of shot during the interview, Professor Robert did admit he saw the funny side of his children’s unexpected intrusion.

“If you watch the tape I was sort of struggling to keep my own laughs down. They’re little kids and that’s how things are,” he said.

“I made this minor mistake that turned my family into YouTube stars. It’s pretty ridiculous.”

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Robert Leigh
Freelance writer

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