Ryan Bridge, who is currently filling in as a host for New Zealand’s ‘The AM Show’ was accidentally outed as gay by his co-presenter this morning live on air. Mark Richardson, who made a joke referencing Bridge’s sexuality was extremely apologetic saying; “In three years of doing this job, this is as bad as I’ve ever felt.”

Bridge was outed during a segment on the show about collector’s items when Amanda Gillies, another host, asked if he collects anything to which Richardson jokingly responded that Bridge collects “ex-boyfriends”. The slip of the tongue was received with resounding awkward silence and nervous giggles before Bridge said: “Yes, it’s true, I’m gay. There we go, it’s out there.” He then went on to say “God that was awkward” before promptly moving onto the sports bulletin as planned.

Although Bridge had not spoken about his sexuality publicly before, he informed the audience that it is not something he was trying to keep a secret saying; “it’s not something I’ve tried to hide, it’s something my friends and family have known about for a very long time.”

He explained that the reason he hadn’t shared with the viewers of the show or listeners of his radio show is that he believes “it’s just not that interesting.” Bridge then went on to say that being gay is “[his]  private business and [his] life and not something [he’s] really bothered or care to share with the world, but it’s out there, so that is that.”

The TV personality clarified that Richardson did not purposefully out him, coming to his co-hosts’ defence saying; “It wasn’t like he was being mean or he was trying to get me to say something I didn’t want to say, it was an innocent, honest mistake.”

Richardson apologised to Bridge for the slip, clearly very remorseful for the mistake saying that he was “just being a smart arse trying to poke fun at [Bridge]for a comedic moment on the show” and that he is “dreadfully sorry.” Richardson reiterated that he is not prejudiced towards his co-star nor anyone else based on their sexuality and again apologised although Bridge was very forgiving saying he had  “nothing to be sorry about”.