A BBC reporter has gone viral due to his apt name while covering the petrol crisis in Britain.
A shortage of drivers has led to stations not receiving fuel deliveries, sparking panic buying among motorists.
As queues formed at stations around the country, the BBC decided to send none other than Phil McCann into the field to cover the story.
If ever there was a roving reporter that could cover a fuel shortage… pic.twitter.com/cMukaZfnON
— Graeme (@redleaderwright) September 25, 2021
It's fair to say the perfect pun lightened the mood as the reporter went viral on social media on Saturday.
Even BBC presenters John Kay and Naga Munchetty couldn't resist a giggle back in the studio.
McCann's name was trending on Twitter as thousands pointed out the similarity between the moniker and the phrase 'fill my can'.
I know there is a lot going on this weekend but Phil McCann covering the fuel story on #BBCBreakfast is going to take some beating. I’m sure I interviewed a copper once called PC Rob Banks 😂😂😂 #Legendary pic.twitter.com/Ry7u9lZzLc
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) September 25, 2021
There is only one BBC reporter to do the story of panic-buying of fuel. And it is Phil McCann.
— Simon McCoy (@SimonMcCoyTV) September 25, 2021
PHIL MCCANN! On a fuel shortage story.@TheSimpsons couldn’t have written anything funnier than that. Well played #BBCBreakfast pic.twitter.com/mizupJViEG
— Sara Thornton (@SaraThornton1) September 25, 2021
BBC Switchboard
'YES PHIL MCCANN DOES WORK HERE BUT HE'S IN STOCKPORT' pic.twitter.com/O2hQvsN0xh
— Tom (@dolandeclares) September 25, 2021
One Twitter user pointed out that McCann had joined an exclusive club of people with incredibly appropriate or ironic names for their jobs.
These included policeman Rob Banks, Andrew Drinkwater of the Water Research Centre and BBC weather presenter Sara Blizzard.
Phil McCann is now in this very specific & rare hall of fame pic.twitter.com/vs09B83il1
— claire. (@blissfulfiction) September 25, 2021
McCann, the BBC's political reporter for Cheshire, seemed to take the attention in good spirit, saying the jokes about his name were like being back at school.
He added that there were worse things to be trending for.
McCann hasn't let his viral fame go to his head however, and was back out on the forecourt today as motorists were urged to avoid panic buying fuel.
Today has been… pic.twitter.com/wHT4WZUHdK
— Phil McCann (@phi1mccann) September 25, 2021
There are worse reasons to trend on Twitter… pic.twitter.com/573bJHAhU7
— Phil McCann (@phi1mccann) September 25, 2021
Yesterday, the British Government announced plans to help ease the crisis over the supply of fuel and goods, which has reportedly been caused by a lack of HGV drivers.
Plans include training 4,000 new drivers, contacting 1million HGV licence holders to encourage them to return to the industry and issuing 5,000 visas for overseas drivers to work in Britain until December 24.
