Penny Mordaunt becomes the first ever contestant from ITV’s Splash! to proclaim a new monarch-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Mordaunt oversaw the ceremony for King Charles III (Picture: PA/ITV/Rex/Shutterstock)

Former reality TV star and politician Penny Mordaunt has made history by becoming the first ever Splash! star to proclaim a new monarch.

After being appointed both Commons leader and lord president of the Privy Council by new prime minister Liz Truss, the Tory MP led the proclamation ceremony on Saturday.

The Royal event was held at St James’ Palace and formally confirmed King Charles III’s succession from his mother after the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral on Thursday.

Ms Mordaunt helmed the service, which was overseen by the Accession Council, issuing eight orders which traditionally ensured before King Charles made his declaration.

As well as a new era of Royal history, the ceremony marked a reality TV first, with Ms Mordaunt becoming the first ever Splash! contestant to usher in a new royal.

The 49-year-old appeared on the short-lived ITV competition show in 2014, the same series that saw Gemma Collins say her prayers as she took to the diving board in a black bathing suit dress.

Her entertaining stint on the programme, which was presented by Vernon Kay and Gabby Logan, saw Ms Mordaunt botch a difficult dive, slapping the water chest first.

Penny Mordaunt during the Accession Council at St James’s Palace, where King Charles III is formally proclaimed monarch. (Picture: PA)

Judge Jo Brand looked seriously unimpressed by the Portsmouth North MP’s execution in an extended piece of footage shared on YouTube.

Several Twitter users pointed out Ms Mordaunt’s TV background as she appeared on our screens once again for the television proclamation ceremony.

Mordaunt’s dive looked painful (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

A social media account penned: ‘Penny Mordaunt is the first contestant from ITV’s SPLASH! to proclaim a new monarch. Another win for ITV’s SPLASH! this week.’

‘Absolutely peak UK that a contestant on Splash is now in charge officiating our new King,’ another wrote.

A viewer added: ‘That was quite something to watch. History being made. Televised for the first time. And led by a former Splash! contestant.’

A Twitter user remarked: ‘BREAKING: Penny Mordaunt becomes the first Splash! contestant to preside over the accession of a monarch.’

The Queen died at the age of 96, ending a 70-year reign (Picture: WireImage)

Making his declaration as part of the first-ever televised proclamation, the King first paid tribute to his mother Elizabeth II, who died aged 96.

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‘My lords, ladies and gentlemen, it is my most sorrowful duty to announce to you the death of my beloved mother the Queen,’ His Majesty told the Accession Council.

‘I know how deeply you, the entire nation, and I think I may say the whole world, sympathise with me in the irreparable loss we’ve all suffered.’

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