BBC mixes up Steve Punt and Eric Idle

The BBC has been left red-faced after mistaking Steve Punt for Eric Idle.

The Monty Python star was interviewed on BBC Breakfast this morning about his ‘sortabiography’ Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

But viewers were amused by the show using a photo of Punt in the background during the chat, from his role as Idle in the 2011 BBC Four programme Holy Flying Circus, about the making of Life of Brian.

Neither Idle or presenters Louise Minchin and Dan Walker seemed to notice.

So was the picture of Steve Punt playing Eric Idle meant to be there - or a mistake on @BBCBreakfast ? pic.twitter.com/j3tNofcbni

— Gary Hudson (@garyhudson) October 17, 2018

The snafu follows the BBC News website illustrating a recent article on the death of writer Ray Galton with a photo of Wilfred Brambell and Harry H Corbett from Steptoe and Son. Unfortunately, the site identified Brambell as Frank Thornton, an actor best remembered for playing Captain Peacock in another BBC sitcom, Are You Being Served?

Elsewhere on breakfast television today, Harry Hill pushed a custard pie into This Morning presenter Piers Morgan's face to protest at the presenter's sexist comments about actor Daniel Craig using a baby carrying papoose. 

However, no viewers complained about this.

Published: 17 Oct 2018