“He’s very much still with us,” another host said of Van Dyke following the news that the “Dawson’s Creek” actor had died.

Radio host mistakenly announces Dick Van Dyke’s death instead of James Van Der Beek’s in live broadcast blunder

"He's very much still with us," another host said of Van Dyke following the news that the "Dawson's Creek" actor had died.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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February 12, 2026 1:31 p.m. ET

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Dick Van Dyke; James Van Der Beek. Credit:

Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty; Michael Buckner/Getty

Dick Van Dyke is still with us — despite a radio host accidentally saying otherwise.

On Thursday's edition of iHeart Radio’s *Breakfast Show*, radio host and Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts took a moment to acknowledge the recent death of James Van Der Beek. There was just one problem: That's not the name that came out of her mouth.

"I do have some sad news: *Dawson’s Creek*'s Dick Van Dyke has passed away," Roberts announced during the live broadcast, mistakenly calling the 48-year-old actor who played the teen drama's titular role of Dawson Leery the *Mary Poppins* screen and stage legend instead.

Luckily, Robert's cohost Jamie Theakston immediately jumped in to correct her after the blunder.

"Not Dick Van Dyke," he interjected, before chastising her.

"Come on," he said. "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 because..."

Dick Van Dyke arrives at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards in 2019. Christopher Polk/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

As Roberts gasped, realizing her mistake, another cohost, Amanda Holden, clarified Van Dyke's status in case any viewers were confused, saying, "He's alive."

Roberts, now laughing at her error, reiterated, "Yes — he's 100 years old!"

"Unbelievably, he's very much still with us," Theakston echoed.

Van Dyke celebrated his milestone 100th birthday on Dec. 13, marking the occasion with a private gathering and a documentary looking back on his storied career. The song-and-dance man who once fronted *The Dick Van Dyke Show* has been open for the past few years about his issues with mobility and arthritis, but he has remained fairly active, even taking to the stage for select events.

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After her on-air flub, Roberts apologized for the mix-up. "I'm so sorry," she told listeners, before confirming that she was indeed referring to Van Der Beek, who died the day before the show after revealing he had colorectal cancer in November 2024.

James Van Der Beek, who died on Feb. 11 of colorectal cancer.

Vivien Killilea/Getty

On Wednesday Feb. 11, , Kimberly Van Der Beek broke the news of her husband's death. "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," she announced on Instagram. "He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. 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."

The actor was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in August 2023. He later said he had hoped to announce his diagnosis at a later date but was forced to alter his plans after he learned that a tabloid was about to break the news.

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In his final years, Van Der Beek partnered with various nonprofits to raise money and awareness for colorectal cancer treatments. He recently appeared on the shows *Overcompensating* and *The Masked Singer* and will star in the forthcoming *Legally Blonde* prequel series, *Elle*.**

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