The organisers of this year’s Emmys have apologised after mistakenly using a photograph of a living composer during their “in memoriam” section.

During Sunday night’s ceremony, singer-songwriter Halsey performed Time After Time while a video montage featuring those from the TV world who had died in the last year appeared on screen.

With one notable exception, that is.

In the segment, the Emmys paid tribute to musician Andre Previn, while accidentally using a photo of Leonard Slatkin.

Leonard – who, we should stress, is very much still alive – quickly spotted the gaffe, tweeting about it on Monday, alongside a photograph of his late peer.

“I saw that @theemmys posted a photo of me ‘In Memoriam’ rather than the intended Andre Previn. Andre deserved better,” he wrote.

“I had the opportunity to introduce him when he received the[Kennedy Centre Honours]. Perhaps he was paying me back for a couple stories I told about him.”

In a statement, the Television Academy and Fox – who aired the Emmys this year – told USA Today that they “sincerely apologise for the error”.

They have also said all mentions on its website will feature accurate imagery of the late German-born musician.

Andre Previn died in February at the age of 89.

A much-celebrated composer and conductor, he won four Academy Awards in his lifetime for his scoring of the films Gigi, Porgy And Bess, Irma La Douce and My Fair Lady.

He was also awarded multiple Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement recognition in 2010.