The day the sky fell in

Sky Television one of the leading global broadcasters was left with egg on its face at the launch of Reach For The Sky after its public address and video systems both failed.

The initiative aims to help teenagers make the most of the career opportunities they will have in the new millennium. It is part of Sky’s role as the official broadcast sponsor for the Millennium Experience.

But footballer-turned film star Vinnie Jones and TV presenter Melanie Sykes, who were fronting the event, were left stunned as the equipment failed, leaving the packed room of people bemused.

A Sky spokesman referred onlookers to their presentation notes and apologised for the problem passing it off as ‘gremlins in the building’. Sky Baron Rupert Murdoch was not seen at the event.