"Ahead on Seven News ... exclusive details on funding cuts that it's feared will cost lives, and the Big Ben cover-ups: why its famous bongs are about to fall silent," Adamson said, before dropping the explicit word.
Meanwhile, viewers, media colleagues and politicians have hit out at the ABC over its harsh decision to axe Exelby in the wake of her mistake.
The short clip of the incident, showing the seasoned presenter "daydreaming" on the job before making a quick recovery, promptly went viral.
Speaking with news.com.au before the news of her reported sacking went public, Exelby admitted Sunday's performance was not her most professional moment, but managed to see the humorous side.
"I can understand why people found it funny and it was certainly me at my most raw," she said. "I also have to take some responsibility here. I'm a professional and what happened was far from professional.
"If I was able to make people laugh (even if it was at my expense) then I don't think that's a bad thing."
