This Morning apologises for showing image of pregnant Kate Middleton in bikini

The Duchess of Cambridge, currently five months pregnant, and Eamonn Holmes, who was forced to make an on-air apology on This Morning today after an unblurred image of the Italian magazine front cover featuring the Duchess of Cambridge in a bikini "accide (Getty Images)

Eamonn Holmes was forced to apologise today after an unblurred image of Kate Middleton in a bikini "accidentally" flashed up on screen during This Morning.

The image appeared when the publication of the photographs of pregnant Kate were being discussed.

Apologising for the oversight on the news review section today, presenter Holmes said: “Earlier during today's news review we were discussing photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on a beach in Mustique published in an Italian magazine.

"Unfortunately we accidentally showed an unblurred image of the magazine cover, which briefly showed the photographs. This was a deeply regrettable error and we are very sorry. We apologise unreservedly to the Duke and the Duchess.”

The photographs, which are said to show Kate strolling on a beach on the island of Mustique, have been condemned by St James’s Palace.

The gaffe comes months after This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield handed David Cameron a list of alleged paedophiles he had compiled by “internet rumours”.

ITV apologised on the next day's show and emphasised it was not pointing the finger at anyone in particular. Schofield was later forced to apologise as the list was briefly exposed on screen.