The reporter didn't call Lenny Henry "Ainsley" or "him off Ready Steady Cook", rather that someone in production - who presumably has received a right rollocking - used footage of Ainsley Harriott in a montage made to celebrate Lenny Henry's knighthood.
While ITV were quick to remove it from their Plus 1 service...
Guessing ITV are quite embarrassed about the Lenny Henry/Ainsley Harriott gaffe - this was on +1 during the report. pic.twitter.com/Ig6ru37em8
— Zak Murray (@Zesus440) December 4, 2015
The eagle eyed people of twitter were quick to point out the glaring mistake, bringing it to everyone's attention.
@itvnews Can I ask why you used footage of Ainsley Harriot in you segment about Sir Lenny Henry being knighted? pic.twitter.com/tgYene7dBo
— Dean (@dean6345) December 4, 2015
Preeeetty sure ITV News just used a clip of Ainsley Harriott relating to Lenny Henry getting knighted...
— James O'Neill (@QuietOldJim) December 4, 2015
Might be an idea for @itvnews to dump the footage of Ainsley Harriott at the Comedy Store in its Sir Lenny Henry piece.
— Mark Banham (@Banham72) December 4, 2015
@Bantha29 @itvnews Video footage of Ainsley Harriott at the Comedy Store, in a piece about Lenny Henry.
— Bah Humbug! (@AndyGilder) December 4, 2015
By way of explanation, ITV issued the following statement...
ITV News apologises for the error broadcast in the lunchtime news package today regarding Sir Lenny Henry’s knighthood at the palace. 1/2
— ITV News (@itvnews) December 4, 2015
This was the result of an error in the production process in a piece intended to celebrate Sir Lenny’s significant achievements. 2/2
— ITV News (@itvnews) December 4, 2015
Yikes.
