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Newsreader Apologises For Announcing Death Of Playwright William Shakespeare 405 Years Too Late

Newsreader Apologises For Announcing Death Of Playwright William Shakespeare 405 Years Too Late

Noelia Novillo confused the writer who died in 1616 with the 81-year-old man from Coventry

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

A newsreader has apologised after she announced the death of William Shakespeare 405 years late.

Noelia Novillo was at the centre of a media storm recently when she confused the death of Shakespeare the writer with that of the 81-year-old pensioner from Coventry.

William 'Bill' Shakespeare, who became the first man in Britain to receive the Covid jab last year, sadly passed away last week.

However, when Novillo reported on his death for the Argentinian TV station Canal 26, over footage of Bill Shakespeare chatting as he received the vaccine, she said: "We've got news that has stunned all of us given the greatness of this man.

"We're talking about William Shakespeare and his death.

Noelia Novillo confused the English playwright with an 81-year-old man from Coventry.
Instagram/@noenovillo.ok

"As we all know, he's one of the most important writers in the English language - for me the master. Here he is.

"He was the first man to get the coronavirus vaccine. He's died in England at the age of 81."

At first, she tried to blame the faux pas on the fact she had 'missed out a full stop, a comma, some brackets' as the gaffe went viral.

However, she has now taken the opportunity to say sorry for her blunder and promise to 'bounce back stronger'.

In a post to her Instagram account, Novillo said: "I didn't want to let this opportunity to talk with you go by.

William 'Bill' Shakespeare sadly passed away earlier this month.
PA

"I had a few seconds on the station yesterday but I'm taking this moment to do so on my social media.

"I simply want to say sorry and ask you to forgive me.

"Anyone can make a mistake and here I am to own up to my fall.

"After each fall one bounces back stronger. In life you fall and you get up.

"Learning from mistakes. That's it. They're lessons."

She added: "Here I am to recognise my error. Thank you very much for listening. Have a nice day."

A portrait of playwright William Shakespeare, who died in 1616.
PA

One of Noelia's 54,000 Instagram followers wrote: "Making a mistake is human and you are beautiful."

A colleague on her TV station added: "You are an excellent professional, a person with a big heart and one of the best people to work with.

"We all make mistakes every day. We love you. Big kiss."

Reporting back in December last year, BBC health reporter Hugh Pym shared a photograph of Mr Shakespeare just as he was given his first dose of the groundbreaking vaccine.

In a tweet, he said: "Second patient to get the Covid jab at University Hospital Coventry - would you believe it....William Shakespeare from Warwickshire."

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@noenovillo.ok

Topics: covid, World News, UK News, vaccine, Argentina, Covid-19