TV show pranked into wishing serial killers Fred and Rose West a happy wedding anniversary

Presenters didn’t realise the pair were two of the UK’s most notorious murderers

A morning show has been tricked into wishing serial killers Fred and Rose West a happy wedding anniversary.

The New Zealand series Breakfast, which is broadcast on TVNZ, did not realise the photo they were sent were of two of the UK’s most infamous killers.

Jenny-May Clarkson, the co-host, said: "Today is the day that Francis and Violet Eastwood celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary.”

As the photo of the Wests appeared on-screen, she continued: "This is their children's favourite photo of them, taken on their honeymoon way back in 1990."

She said that their children called them “the most caring parents they could ask for” before exclaiming: “Here’s to another 30 years!”

TVNZ has “sincerely apologised” for the error, with general manager of corporate communications, Rachel Howard, telling The New Zealand Herald: "An image of Rosemary and Fred West was sent into the Breakfast team along with a false back story for our 'Today's the Day’ segment.”

She continued: "Jenny-May spoke to our viewers as soon as the mistake was realised and noted that we take responsibility for getting things right and we are now adding extra steps to make sure we're not taken advantage of in this way again."

West committed at least twelve murders between 1967 and 1987 in Gloucestershire. 

His second wife was his accomplice for at least nine of the killings.

Earlier this year, Tiger King star Carole Baskin was fell victim to a similar prank.

The big cats activist was duped into delivering a birthday “shout out” to Jimmy Savile and convicted paedophile Rolf Harris in a video that has since gone viral.