Good Morning Britain unintentionally broadcast a footage of Des O’Connor instead of Paul O’Grady during a round-up of the National Television Awards, leaving Ed Balls red-faced.
On Wednesday’s broadcast of the ITV show, the former MP, 56, and his co-host Charlotte Hawkins, 48, who stood in for Susanna Reid after she lost her voice, were commenting on the winners of the National Television Awards.
Among those honoured was the late Lily Savage, who received a posthumous prize in the Factual Entertainment Category for his TV programme For The Love Of Dogs.
Referencing O’Grady’s win on GMB, Charlotte said: ‘Let’s give special mention to Paul O’Grady who won as well for his show and obviously he’s so very much missed, isn’t he?’
However, when the former Strictly Come Dancing judge paid tribute to O’Grady, a footage of the late O’Connor, who died in 2020 at the age of 88, aired.
Realising the mistake, Ed interjected: ‘I don’t think that was Paul O’Grady we just showed on camera there.’
Images of O’Grady as Lily Savage were then shown, with Ed remarking, ‘There he is. Phew.’
The NTAs paid tribute to O’Grady and other TV stars who have passed away, including Sir Michael Parkinson, on Tuesday night.
Before a montage from O’Grady’s career was played, Joel said: ‘Nominated an astonishing 28 times for an NTA, his first nearly 30 years ago, his career came in many guises and no matter what he did, there was always kindness coupled with a unique sense of fun that won over audiences in an instant’.
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home representatives accepted the prize on O’Grady’s behalf.
One said: ‘I would like to thank Paul, of course, and the ITV team… for shining a light on the care that we’re able to provide for the 100 or more dogs and cats that come to Battersea every week.
‘I know that Paul cared deeply for each and every one of those animals.
‘I think that something about their plight and their vulnerability really struck a chord with Paul. He often referred to Battersea as his second home.’
Andre Portasio, O’Grady’s widower, who married the late singer in 2017, revealed his husband’s death earlier this year at the age of 67.
His cause of death was eventually determined to be sudden cardiac arrhythmia syndrome (SADS), which was connected to the ischemic heart condition of the Blankey Blank host.
Tributes from the entertainment industry flooded in, with Carol Vorderman and Lorraine Kelly among the first to send their respects, while the royal family also expressed their sympathies.
Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays from 6am.
