YouTube prankster Jarvo claims it was him who sabotaged the BBC studio before Liverpool’s FA Cup clash against Wolves on Tuesday night.
The BBC’s pre-match coverage was interrupted by constant sex noises just after the programme started with the likes of Gary Lineker, Paul Ince and Danny Murphy desperately trying to talk over it.
In front of a widespread audience, Lineker could only blush as the noises continued throughout the segment before the BBC One host handed over the commentary team at Molineux.
As the game got underway, Lineker tweeted that the perpetrating device had been discovered after a phone was stuck to a piece of furniture in the set but not before the internet had been sent into a frenzy.
And well-known prankster Jarvo, real name Daniel Jarvis, has claimed responsibility for the sabotage after uploading a post on social media proving that he had infiltrated the studio before kick-off.
While the pre-match talk went ahead, Jarvis appeared to rig the phone with a ringtone that rang out the porn-like noises before ringing the mobile from an unspecified location while live on air.
He wrote on Twitter: “Yes, it was me that pranked the BBC Match of the Day with the sex Phone 🙂 The video coming soon!!!! @BMWJARVO best prankster ever!!!!”
Lineker made several quips referring to the prank throughout the coverage, including describing Harvey Elliott’s stunning strike against Wolves as a ‘screamer’.
“Elliott’s goal was a screamer, not the only one we’ve had tonight,” he said, while also asking Ince: “It wasn’t you and the wife back there then?”
The BBC said in a statement: “We apologise to any viewers offended during the live coverage of the football this evening.”
Jarvis has made several high-profile media stunts in the past including last October when he collided with England cricketer Jonny Bairstow after invading the Oval pitch in south London during a Test.
He received a suspended sentence as a result, as well as an eight-week prison sentence suspended for two years and a ban from attending any venue where a sporting fixture is being held in England and Wales for two years.
The YouTube star was also banned from travelling abroad for 12 months and made subject to a rehabilitation activity requirement.
Liverpool beat Wolves in the FA Cup replay at Molineux with Elliott’s brilliant first-half strike enough to knock Julen Lopetegui’s men out of the competition.
It sets up a fourth-round tie against Brighton while the Reds managed to beat some dreary recent form to get back on track, earning their first away clean sheet since September.
Jurgen Klopp said: “It feels like ages ago we had a feeling of winning and playing well. We had to fight hard at the end which we controlled for long periods. It is great and the reaction we wanted to see.”
