'We're in the money': The boss of Sainsbury's just had a very embarrassing hot mic moment

You’ve probably heard all about the proposed merger between two of Britain’s biggest supermarkets Sainsbury’s and Asda. According to reports, Walmart is expected to sell off its shares in the latter budget retailer in a move that could net Sainsbury’s up to £500 million in extra profit. Not a bad day’s business.

There have been concerns, however, that the deal could lead to stores being closed and supermarket workers losing their jobs. Not so good.

So Sainsbury’s CEO Mike Coupe hit the TV studios this week to make the case for the deal and to try to ease concerns that they were putting profit before people.

And then… this happened. In an ‘unguarded’ moment, the exec was caught singing the song ‘We’re In The Money’ from the musical 42nd Street in between interviews. 

I believe the saying is… d’oh.

“We’re in the money, the sky is sunny. Let’s lend it, spend it, send it rolling along,” he can be heard chirping jauntily.

In a statement, a union official called the moment “completely unprofessional and utterly insensitive.”

Read more: The 19 funniest, most ridiculous news stories of 2017

And Coupe has now apologised for the cock-up. He said: “This was an unguarded moment trying to compose myself before a TV interview.

“It was an unfortunate choice of song, from the musical 42nd Street which I saw last year and I apologise if I have offended anyone.”

One unintended consequence of this delightful mess is that we’ve had a wander down memory lane and thought back to some of the all-time top hot mic moments. These are some of the best… 

1. Joe Biden to Barack Obama: “This is a big fucking deal” 

2. Prince Charles: “I hate these people”

3. David Cameron: “Queen purred down the line” 

4. Gordon Brown: “She’s a bigoted woman” 

Pro tip: always, always, always, always check whether your mic’s on before telling people what you really think of them.

(Image: Getty)