Featured Image Credit: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Topics: Film and TV, Celebrity
Callum Jones
Listeners of a radio breakfast show were left shocked after Dick Van Dyke was wrongly pronounced dead on live radio.
The actor celebrated his 100th birthday in recent weeks and is largely regarded as one of the biggest names to have come out of Hollywood.
However, fans of the Mary Poppins star were left stunned while tucking into their Coco Pops this morning (February 12) when Ashley Roberts accidentally stated Van Dyke had died.
The Pussycat Dolls singer had meant to be speaking about Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek, who sadly passed away aged 48 on Wednesday (February 11) after a battle with bowel cancer.
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"Dawson's Creek's Dick Van Dyke has passed away," Roberts said on air, which led to co-host Jamie Theakston clearing things up by saying: "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."
Co-host Amanda Holden, meanwhile, stated Dick Van Dyke is 'alive' to clear up any confusion.
After laughing at her mistake, Roberts then went on: "Yes, [he's alive] – he's 100 years old! Oh my gosh, we spoke about this, I'm so sorry."
With Van Dyke very much alive, he recently spoke about his plans to continue living a healthy life and shared his secret after reaching the 100-year landmark.
"The funny thing is, it’s not enough. 100 years is not enough. You want to live more," the Hollywood star shared on Good Morning America.
Van Dyke has also credited his wife, Arlene Silver, for giving him a new lease of life.
“Arlene is half my age, and she makes me feel somewhere between two-thirds and three-quarters my age, which is still saying a lot," he said in his new book.
Silver also spoke to Good Morning America following her husband's big birthday and stated it's a 'privilege' to be married to the film star.
"It’s like a privilege and an honour to take care of him and make him happy," she said.
So, what is the secret to living a long and healthy life?
Well, according to Van Dyke, it's all about having a sing song.
"Singing is the best thing you can do for yourself," the actor said. "Usually I wake up with an old tune going through my head."