Dick Van Dyke was wrongly declared dead during an awkward blunder on Heart Radio’s Breakfast Show on Thursday morning. During the entertainment news update, reporter Ashley Roberts muddled her names while sharing “sad news” with hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston.
Broadcasting live, she announced: “Dawson’s Creek’s Dick Van Dyke has passed away,” before Jamie swiftly jumped in to set the record straight. “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 responded.
“He’s alive,” Amanda chimed in, as Ashley giggled at her gaffe. The former Pussycat Doll swiftly corrected herself: “Yes, [he’s alive] – he’s 100 years old!”.
“Unbelievably, he’s very much still alive,” Jamie confirmed. Apologising for the mix-up, Ashley said: “Oh my gosh, we spoke about this, I’m so sorry.”
She then clarified that it was in fact Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek who had died, before offering another apology for her blunder.
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On Wednesday night, news broke that James had died aged 48 following a battle with colorectal cancer. Following the announcement of his death, numerous co-stars have shared touching tributes on social media, including his former on-screen love interest Katie Holmes.
In a heartfelt message, she praised his “bravery, compassion, selflessness and strength”, alongside his “appreciation for life”.
“This is a lot to process. I am so grateful to have shared in a piece of James’ journey. He is beloved,” she added. “James. Thank you. To share space with your imagination is sacred – breathing the same air in the land of make-believe and trusting that each other’s hearts are safe in their expression.”
Busy Philipps also shared an emotional tribute, saying: “James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and I don’t know what else to say. I am just so, so sad.”
After news of his passing broke, James’ wife Kimberly, who shares six children with the late actor, shared a link on social media to a GoFundMe appeal, highlighting the family’s “financial strain”.
She explained: “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.”
Meanwhile, Dick Van Dyke continues to flourish after marking his 100th birthday milestone in December.
Speaking on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast last year about his remarkable longevity, he revealed: “Somebody said, ‘To what do you attribute your age and physical condition?’ and I said, ‘I’ve always exercised’. Three days a week, we go to the gym – still. I get down and do a lot of stretching and yoga-type things, sit-ups.”
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