Ashley Roberts ‘so sorry’ after mistakenly announcing Dick Van Dyke has died when he hasn’t

Ashley Roberts made a hasty apology after she wrongly announced Dick Van Dyke had died in a huge on air blunder.

The former Pussycat Doll and radio presenter, 44, was sharing a live entertainment news update on Heart FM on Thursday alongside co-hosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden when the error occurred.

She announced to listeners that ‘Dawson’s Creek’s Dick Van Dyke has passed away,’ when she had meant to say actor James Van Der Beek, who died on Wednesday aged 48, three years after his colorectal cancer diagnosis.

Theakston quickly swooped in to correct the record. ‘Not Dick Van Dyke – come on. If you’re going to do a sensitive moment, if you’re going to do an obituary, you can’t just say Dick Van Dyke,’ he pressed.

Holden also offered her own clarification, saying the entertainer, who recently turned 100 years old, was ‘alive’.

Quick to own up to the shocking mix-up, Roberts back-pedalled as she said: ‘Yes, [he’s alive] – he’s 100 years old!’ Oh my gosh, we spoke about this, I’m so sorry.’

‘Unbelievably, he’s very much still alive,’ Theakston then concluded.

The Mary Poppins star celebrated his centenary on December 13 and, ahead of the big day, shared the huge lifestyle overhaul he had made later on in his life.

‘I think I was probably in my 50s before it dawned on me that I had an addictive personality. If I liked something, I was going to overdo it.’

‘So I got rid of booze and cigarettes and all that stuff, which is probably why I’m still here,’ he said at an event in December.

Regarding the news Ashley was attempting to address, TV star Van Der Beek’s death was announced by his family on Wednesday night.

The late husband to Kimberly and father of six was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2023 and made the news public in November 2024.

Following his death, friends and co-stars from across the years rushed to share heartfelt tributes including his fellow Dawson’s Creek alum Katie Holmes.

Within a lengthy message, she wrote: ‘Bravery, Compassion. Selflessness. Strength. An appreciation for life and the action taken to live life with the integrity that life is art – creating a beautiful marriage, six loving children – the journey of a hero.

‘I mourn this loss with a heart holding the reality of his absence and deep gratitude for his imprint on it.’

A GoFundMe to support his grieving family was set up to help with their ‘significant financial strain’ and has already raised over $1.6million (£1.1m).

The post accompanying the fundraiser states: ‘In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds.

‘They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time.

‘The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.