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Radio Host Accidentally Mixes Up Dick Van Dyke and James Van Der Beek When Announcing Actor’s Death
A radio host recently had an on-air blunder, confusing the late James Van Der Beek with Dick Van Dyke.
During the Thursday, February 12, episode of Heart Radio’s Breakfast Show, host Ashley Roberts announced, “Dawson’s Creek’s Dick Van Dyke has passed away,” according to The Mirror.
Roberts, 44 — who was a member of the girl group The Pussy Cat Dolls — was quickly corrected by fellow hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston per the outlet.
Two deadlines were given for their demands. The first deadline, which has now passed, was at 5 p.m. on Thursday. A second deadline is Monday, February 9, if the initial demand is not met. However, “no proof of life” for Nancy has been provided.
The 54-year-old TV personality and her family are distraught and have issued multiple statements pleading for Nancy’s safe return home. The latest message came from Camron Guthrie, Savannah’s brother, who said the family is willing to hear from any potential abductors.
“This is Camron Guthrie,” he began in a video shared to sister Savannah’s Instagram Thursday night. “I’m speaking for the Guthrie family. Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you.”
“We haven’t heard anything directly,” he continued. “We need you to reach out, and we need a way to communicate with you so that we can move forward. But first we have to know that you have our mom.”
“We want to talk to you,” he said, “and we are waiting for contact.”
The Today anchor’s mother was last seen on the night of Saturday, January 31, and she was reported missing the following day by family members after she failed to show up at church.
Nancy is described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs around 150 pounds; she has brown hair and blue eyes. While it’s been said that Nancy does not live with any cognitive issues, her life could be in danger if she does not take her medication daily, per authorities. ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA“Not Dick Van Dyke – come on,” Theakston cut in. “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’s alive,” Holden quipped, to which Roberts remarked, “Yes, [he’s alive] – he’s 100 years old!”
“Unbelievably, he’s very much still alive,” Theakston added.
Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday in December.
Roberts then apologized for her mix-up, admitting, “Oh my gosh, we spoke about this, I’m so sorry,” before explaining it was actually Van Der Beek who passed.
As In Touch previously reported, the Varsity Blues actor tragically died on Wednesday, February 11, at 48 years old, following his battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer. Van Der Beek — who shares six kids with wife Kimberly — was diagnosed with cancer in August 2023 and shared his diagnosis with the world in November 2024.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace,” a statement posted to Van Der Beek’s Instagram on Wednesday read. “There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
A GoFundMe was set up by Kimberly’s friends and has already raised over $1.6 million at the time of publication.
