Sky News presenter announced Gordon Brown’s death instead of Sheffield’s Gordon Banks

Banks’ family announced this morning that the Sheffield legend and former footballer had ‘passed away peacefully overnight’ aged 81. 

He made 628 appearances during a 15-year career in the Football League, and won 73 caps for his country and is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.

Tributes have been pouring in for one of Sheffield’s ‘greatest sons’, including Jamie Vardy, Harry Maguire, Kevin Pressman and Sheffield United. 

News of his death was announced this morning but Sky News’ Adam Boulton confused the former England goalkeeper with Gordon Brown. 

Announcing the news on Sky, Boulton told viewers that the former Prime Minister had died instead of the 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper. 

He said: “The death has been announced of former England goalkeeper Gordon Brown at the age of 81. He was of course part of England’s one and only World Cup winnng...”

Boulton then interrupted himself and corrected his mistake with a wry smile and said: “Gordon Banks I’m sorry.”

After beginning his career at Chesterfield in March 1953, his crowning glory came in the summer of 1966 when England defeated West Germany 4-2 in the World Cup Final to turn him into a household name and national hero.

He made one of the game's great saves to prevent a Pelé goal in the 1970 World Cup, regarded as one of the best of all-time, but his career was ended in 1972 when a car crash cost him his sight in one eye.

Banks was born and brought up in Tinsley, later moving to Catcliffe and began his football career with Sheffield Schoolboys.