BBC Breakfast host Charlie Stayt was forced to issue an apology after a live blunder occurred as he was discussing the tragic death of Hollywood star Gene Hackman
Charlie Stayt was left red-faced as he issued an apology after a tech hiccup cut into a BBC Breakfast report on the late Gene Hackman. On Friday’s (February 28) show, Charlie was discussing the mysterious death of Gene, aged 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, along with their dead dog, all found in their Santa Fe home last Thursday.
As an investigation into their deaths was launched – with no suspicious circumstances suspected so far – viewers got an update while a photo of the two-time Academy Award winner was shown. But as Charlie, 62, tried to continue onto the next piece, about a BBC doctor in Gaza, the screen filled with Gene’s picture.
When he noticed the issue, Stayt stumbled: “Apologies, let’s just get, err, that bit straightened out.”
They finally removed the image but hit another issue when the Kyiv correspondent popped up too soon, reports the Express.
The search warrant from police said Gene, Betsy and their dog were found in separate rooms, having passed away a while before they were found. The couple did not suffer any “external trauma”, according to initial findings from a medical investigation.
Gene’s daughters, Leslie and Elizabeth, issued an official statement about the heartbreaking loss of their father and his wife.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy,” they declared in a statement, as reported by The New York Post. “He was loved and admired by millions around the world for his brilliant acting career, but to us he was always just Dad and Grandpa. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss.”
The sisters suspect that the legendary actor and his wife may have succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning. Elizabeth and Leslie are two of Hackman’s three children from his marriage to Faye Maltese. The former couple, who were wedded from 1956 to 1986, also have a son named Christopher.
Gene later tied the knot with Betsy, a classical pianist, in 1991.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk