A French weather presenter has found out first hand that anything can happen on live television.

Fanny Agostini was delivering a report for news network BFMTV in Saint-Malo, in north-western France, when a wave rolled in off the English Channel and swept her off her feet.

The dramatic moment was watched by thousands of viewers during a live broadcast Friday morning and captured by cameraman Alexis Saubois, who managed to stay on his feet.

A bystander was recording the journalists as they delivered their report when Ms Agostini was suddenly swamped by the enormous wave.

She was just seconds into her report when she glanced over her shoulder as the wave crashed ashore and spectators began to shriek.

As she turned her attention back to the camera to explain the high tide hitting the coast of Brittany, the wave hit her from behind and knocked her to the ground.

But she was no worse for wear despite taking a tumble and getting soaked by the sea water.

Ms Agostini remained calm, jumped back to her feet and continued to deliver her report while laughing at her own misfortune.

As two news presenters, who were dry in the newsroom, chuckled at her expense, she made light of the situation and brushed water off her face as she barely missed a beat.