Guy Goma, who was ushered before live cameras and interviewed as an internet expert, said that he was “traumatised” by the experience.

Mr Goma was grilled on camera after an embarrassing error by BBC News 24. He had been looking for work in the business information department.

Mr Goma, who has only spoken English for four years, said: “It all happened so fast. I had just signed my name when someone said ‘follow me’.

“He was walking so fast I had to jog to keep up. He led me into a room and this lady tried to put some make-up on me. I thought it was all part of the job interview.

“When I realised I was already on air, what could I do? I just tried to answer the questions and stay calm.”

Mr Goma, who taught himself English after moving to London four years ago from French-speaking Congo, told The Sun: “After what had happened I was traumatised. If I don’t get the job, maybe there’s a career for me in TV.”

Producers at BBC News 24, the rolling news channel, thought Mr Goma was Guy Kewney, an internet expert, who was sitting patiently in the lobby of Television Centre in West London. Mr Kewney watched television screens in disbelief as the interview progressed, under his name, but with the wrong man.

Mr Goma, an economics and business studies graduate, was interrogated by Karen Bowerman, the business news presenter, about a victory in the High Court by Apple the computer company over Apple Corps, which manages the intellectual property of the Beatles.

When introduced as Mr Kewney, editor of a technology website, his expression turned from surprise to alarm.

Simon Waldman, an editor for News 24, disclosed Mr Goma’s identity yesterday after The Times reported the gaffe at the weekend.

Mr Goma was not, as originally thought, a taxi driver, but a prospective candidate for the position of “data cleanser” in the business information department.

“Poor soul, he was nervous and just did as he was told,” Mr Waldman wrote on the BBC news weblog, which can be read only by BBC staff.

Mr Waldman wrote on the blog: “Harassed producer sets off at a brisk pace to get his guest from ‘reception’. You’ve guessed: wrong reception. The wrong Guy is asked three questions, with toe-curling results.

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