A "mortified" Kelly admits he can now look back and laugh, telling the Wall Street Journal: "It was funny"
A PROFESSOR who became a viral star after his kids invaded a BBC News interview admits he "struggled not to laugh" during the nightmare TV appearance.
Robert Kelly was giving his straight-laced opinion on South Korean politics when his children burst in to say hello to their daddy.
The kids' panicked mum raced in to drag the cheeky duo away from the camera but it did not stop the live clip being viewed millions of times around the globe.
A "mortified" Kelly admits he can now look back and laugh, telling the : "It was funny.";
He continued: "If you watch the tape I was sort of struggling to keep my own laughs down. They’re little kids and that’s how things are.";
Kelly, 44, who said he usually locks the study door, added: "Yes I was mortified, but I also want my kids to feel comfortable coming to me.
“I made this minor mistake that turned my family into YouTube stars. It’s pretty ridiculous.”
The clip also sparked an online racism debate because many assumed the children's mother was in fact their nanny on account of her ethnicity.
Kelly was midway through answering the presenter's questions about South Korean premier Park Guen-hye when a little Marion, dressed in a yellow jumper, is seen opening the door behind him and bounding in.
She swings her arms happily as she walks over to her dad, who has clearly spotted her on his screen and attempts to push her out of the way.
The Asian politics expert added: "She was in a hippity-hoppity mood that day because of the school party.”
And when nine-month-old James tottered in, Kelly admits he knew "it was all over".
During the hilarious episode the Beeb broadcaster continued to ask his next question while pointing out: "... I think one of your children has just walked in."
Meanwhile a younger child in a baby walker comes waddling into the now open doorway and follows after her sister towards Mr Kelly, a professor of political science and international relations based in Busan, South Korea.
Seconds later, the children's mother runs into the room and grabs both children by their arms, dragging them backwards.
In her hurry she knocks books off the nearby table before banging into the door which had slammed behind her.
The older child can be heard shouting: "Oww, mummy!"
Their dad tries to remain professional but closes his eyes for a few seconds and apologises as they make their dramatic exit.
Cool-headed Kelly continues to answer the question while in the rear the mum can be seen on her hands and knees quickly trying to shut the door.
A clip of the interview was posted on Twitter and has quickly gone viral.
Lee Sherry wrote on Twitter: "Did anybody just watch BBC world news interview regarding Korean president... children walked in. Maid dragged children out? Hilarious".
Tony Brown said: "I just can't stop watching it on repeat."
Afterwards Professor Kelly was asked if he minded the video being shared by a BBC team member on Twitter.
He responded: "What would that mean, please? Re-broadcasting it on BBC TV, or just here on Twitter? Is this kinda thing that goes 'viral' and gets weird?"
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