THE VERGER AT Westminster Abbey who became a YouTube sensation after he was seen cart-wheeling down the aisle following last Friday’s royal wedding has been rebuked by senior staff.

The Daily Mail reports that the man was feeling ‘fairly chastened’ after his impromptu acrobatic display was caught on film and shown to the world on ITV on the day of the ceremony.

The verger, named as Ben Sheward, has been warned not to talk publicly about the incident.

He is also unlikely to face any informal action. His normal day job, when he’s not cartwheeling, usually involves assisting in the ordering of religious services.

It is reported in The Sunday Times (subscription) that officials from Westminster Abbey have been in touch with broadcaster ITV to make their disapproval of the station broadcasting the clip clear, citing ITV as having breached an understanding that the cameras would be switched off at the end of the service.

Jonathan Munro, the ITV editor in charge of coverage, defended the broadcasting of the clip, saying: “We believe the cartwheeling verger caught the happiness of the whole occasion.”

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