TV reporter mistakes sex toy for rare mushroom

Novice reporter Ye Yunfeng was sent to investigate when Chinese Xi’an TV station received a tip-off about the ‘strange fungi’ growing in a Chinese village, according to a Metro report. Believing the sex aid was a ‘rare medicinal Taisui mushroom’, Ms Yunfeng then proceeded to film an in-depth feature about the sex toy. It involved several dubious close-ups and a detailed explanation about the conditions needed for the ‘mushroom’ to grow. Describing the toy, the reporter commented: ‘We can see there is something like a mouth; and on the other side there is a hole that connects all the way through to the other end. ‘It is very smooth. It feels very much like meat.’ Xi’an TV realised its mistake after being bombarded with calls by members of the public who pointed out it was actually a sex toy for men. The station published an apology over the incident online, saying: ‘The incident was purely due to the inexperience of our young reporter. We say sorry.’