A classic live radio mix-up turned into instant viral gold this week when former Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts accidentally declared the wrong actor had passed away during a morning broadcast. The slip happened on Thursday, February 12, 2026, on the UK’s Heart Breakfast Show, and the moment has people laughing at the sheer absurdity of it all.
The blunder came right after heartbreaking news broke about Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek. He died on February 11, 2026, at age 48 after battling colorectal cancer, which he had publicly shared about since his diagnosis in 2024. His family announced the news, describing how he faced his final days with courage, faith, and grace, surrounded by loved ones, including his wife Kimberly and their six children.
The On-Air Moment That Went Wrong
During the show’s entertainment news segment, Ashley Roberts stepped in to deliver what she called “some sad news.” She said, “Dawson’s Creek’s Dick Van Dyke has passed away.” The words hung in the air for a split second before her co-hosts jumped in.
Jamie Theakston immediately corrected her, saying, “Not Dick Van Dyke – come on!” He added that if you’re going to handle a sensitive obituary, you can’t just drop a name like that by mistake. Amanda Holden chimed in too, confirming the Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang legend was very much alive.
Ashley laughed at her own error, then quickly apologized, saying, “Oh my gosh, we spoke about this, I’m so sorry.” She clarified that she meant James Van Der Beek, and emphasized that Dick Van Dyke is “very much still with us” and “he’s 100 years old!”
The quick back-and-forth turned the awkward moment into something light and relieved. The hosts’ banter and Ashley’s embarrassed chuckle made it clear everyone recognized how wild the name swap was, especially with the massive age gap between the two stars. One was a young TV icon gone too soon, the other a Hollywood veteran who just celebrated turning 100 in December 2025 and has stayed active and positive about life.
Why the Names Got Mixed Up
Ashley Roberts, 44, has been a familiar voice on Heart FM, bringing her entertainment background from her time in the Pussycat Dolls to the morning show alongside Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden.
The mix-up between “Van Der Beek” and “Van Dyke” isn’t the first time similar-sounding names have caused confusion, but this one stood out because of the context. Announcing a death is serious, so getting the name wrong created that perfect storm of shock followed by instant correction and laughter.
Dick Van Dyke remains in good spirits at 100. He has shared in recent interviews that he feels energetic and never wakes up in a bad mood, even crediting his outlook for helping him reach such a milestone. The error briefly made headlines suggest the icon had died, but the fast fix kept things from spiraling.
How the Clip Spread So Fast
The audio from the segment spread quickly across news sites and social platforms. Outlets like Daily Mail, The Sun, E! News, TheWrap, and Entertainment Weekly picked it up, running headlines about the “epic blunder” and “awkward live radio moment.” People shared clips because the mistake was harmless in the end, resolved right away, and the hosts handled it with humor instead of panic.
The contrast made it funny: confusing a 48-year-old actor known for teen drama with a century-old song-and-dance legend who starred in family classics. Listeners and viewers reacted to the randomness, with many pointing out the age difference as part of what made the slip so unintentionally hilarious. The clip captured that rare live-TV (or live-radio) magic where something goes wrong, but the people involved roll with it and turn it into a shared laugh.
Wrapping Up the Mix-Up
In the end, the moment highlighted how even pros can have off seconds on air, especially when delivering tough news. Ashley Roberts owned the mistake with a quick apology and laugh, her co-hosts backed her up, and everyone moved on.
James Van Der Beek’s passing remains the real somber part of the story, with fans remembering his work on Dawson’s Creek and his openness about health struggles. Meanwhile, Dick Van Dyke is confirmed alive, well, and still bringing that classic energy at 100.
These kinds of gaffes remind us that live broadcasts are unpredictable, and sometimes the biggest laughs come from the most unexpected slip-ups. The viral clip keeps circulating because it delivers that quick hit of relief and amusement in an otherwise heavy news day.
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