A live report about TV presenter Ant McPartlin’s drink-drive car crash was interrupted by a car crash.

Journalists were waiting for McPartlin, 42, to emerge from his hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court when a BBC broadcast caught the unfortunate three-vehicle collision on Monday afternoon.

BBC reporter Alison Freeman, who was outside Wimbledon Magistrates Court (BBC News/PA)
BBC reporter Alison Freeman, who was outside Wimbledon Magistrates Court (BBC News/PA)

Viewers on social media were swift to point out the irony, with one calling it a “collector’s item”.

A dark car could be seen stopped outside the court before a lighter blue car bumps into the back of it with a thud, pushing it forward into a white van.

All three then drive off, with the bonnet of the rear car crumpled, at 3.13 pm.

Reporter Alison Freeman said: “They (his lawyers) did say that he has had a very difficult year and as was said by his lawyers he had … already … excuse me sorry just some cars have had a bit of a crash behind us there.

“I mean such is the media crowd there it has been very busy here today.”

The accident happened directly behind Alison Freeman outside the court (BBC/PA)
The accident happened directly behind Alison Freeman outside the court (BBC/PA)

McPartlin was fined £86,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after crashing his Mini while more than twice the legal limit in Richmond, west London, on March 18.

He later told reporters he was “truly sorry for what happened”.

His barrister Liam Walker said his client had been seeking help for “alcohol and emotional issues” at the time of the crash, adding that his mother was in the car with him.

Mr Walker said: “He hopes that in time he can make himself better and that he might be forgiven by all of the many people he knows and he feels he has let down terribly.”