Sky news presenter Kay Burley has apologised after using the wrong first name when paying tribute to legendary TV actor Dennis Waterman on Sunday.
The performer, best known for his roles in New Tricks, The Sweeney and Minder, passed away at his home in Spain with his wife at his side, aged 74.
Many figures in the entertainment industry rushed to pay tribute to the actor, recalling some of his most iconic roles and huge talent.
However, Kay, 61, was left red faced when she paid tribute to a "Pete Waterman", not Dennis Waterman.
Pete Waterman is a record producer who was a judge on Popstars: The Rivals.
The broadcaster shared a black and white photo of the actor on Twitter, but wrote: "RIP Pete Waterman. Loved The Sweeney. Loved Minder even more. He was 74."
It appears Kay soon realised her mistake as he post was removed quickly afterwards.
She then tweeted the picture of Dennis once again, apologising for the error.
The journalist wrote: "RIP Dennis Waterman. A brilliant actor who was a staple on our screens throughout the 70s and 80s. Loved The Sweeney. Loved Minder more. He was 74.
She added: "My apologies for using the incorrect first name for Dennis in a previous tweet which I have deleted."
As well as Kay, comedian and actor Paddy McGuinness also paid tribute to the actor, saying he always wanted to be Terry McCann, Dennis' character in Minder.
Paddy wrote on Twitter: “Myself and my Phoenix Nights cast mates used to sing the theme tune to Minder on tour and on the Karaoke!
"Gutted I never got to meet him, always wanted to be Terry McCann. Another icon from my childhood gone. RIP Dennis Waterman.”
Comedian Matt Lucas was one of the first to pay tribute to the performer.
Writing on Twitter, Matt said: "I grew up watching Dennis Waterman’s iconic performances in The Sweeney and Minder.
“His guest appearance in our Little Britain Live show at Hammersmith Apollo – in which he hilariously duetted with David’s absurd impersonation of him – remains the absolute highlight of my career.”
Waterman was caricatured by Matt's Little Britain co-star David Walliams.
The running joke about the character was he was not allowed to sing theme tune of the production, which was based on Dennis having sung the theme tunes for at least four of the programmes he starred in.
Producer Jonathan Sothcott tweeted: " #DennisWaterman was one of our biggest TV stars throughout the 70s and 80s, an everyman figure who felt like one of us. A naturalistic, nuanced actor.
"Terrific in The Sweeney, unforgettable in Minder (helluva song too, lampoonery aside). They don’t make ‘em like that anymore."
Noughties viewers will recognise Dennis best from New Tricks, which he joined in 2003 and starred on for 11 years until 2014. He filmed just two episodes before quitting the 12 series and was replaced by Larry Lamb as Ted Case.
