Apology over news gaffe

ITV bosses have been left embarrassed after the illustrated a news story about Lenny Henry – with footage of Ainsley Harriott.

Viewers were quick to mock the broadcaster over the gaffe during a story about Henry collecting his knighthood.

The comedian was discussing diversity in British TV when the interview cut to old footage from the Comedy Store – of Harriott dancing a calypso in the days before he became a TV chef.

The Comic Relief co-founder received his honour from the Queen today for his services to drama and charity.

A spokesperson for ITV News said: "ITV News apologises for the error broadcast in the lunchtime news package today regarding Sir Lenny Henry's knighthood at the palace.

'This was the result of an error in the production process in a piece intended to celebrate Sir Lenny's significant achievements in British entertainment.'

The broadcaster has since removed the clip from the report on its +1 channel, instead displaying a message saying it was 'not legally' allowed to show the content.

Henry has been a vocal campaigner for better representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic people in TV, both on screen and behind the camera.

Published: 4 Dec 2015