Eamonn Holmes was forced to make an on-air apology on This Morning today after an unblurred image of the Italian magazine front cover featuring the Duchess of Cambridge in a bikini “accidentally” appeared on screen.
The image appeared during the programme’s news review segment when the publication of the photographs of pregnant Kate in a bikini on a private Caribbean holiday was being discussed.
The photos, which have been condemned by St James’s Palace, are said to show Kate strolling on a beach on the island of Mustique with William.
Presenter Holmes said: “Earlier during today’s news review we were discussing photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a beach in Mustique published in an Italian magazine.
“Unfortunately we accidentally showed an unblurred image of the magazine cover, which briefly showed the photographs. This was a deeply regrettable error and we are very sorry. We apologise unreservedly to the Duke and the Duchess.”
This gaffe comes just months after This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield was roundly criticised after he confronted David Cameron with a list of alleged paedophiles.
He handed the Prime Minister a list of names which he said he had put together from internet rumours it was understood to be Conservative Party figures during the live show.
ITV apologised on the next day’s show and emphasised it was not pointing the finger at anyone in particular. Schofield was later forced to apologise after the list was briefly exposed on screen.