Radio presenter Evan Davis has said he was “mortified” after confusion over booking OJ Simpson’s lawyer led to the wrong man featuring in a live interview.

The BBC Radio 4 PM realised on-air he was not speaking to the right Robert Shapiro but instead another American who shares the same name as the former American football player’s defence lawyer.

Laughter could be heard in the background from Shapiro as he was wrongly introduced as the lawyer who in 1995 successfully defended Simpson when he was accused of murder.

Speaking during the show on Thursday, Davis said: “Robert Shapiro, I am fascinated in what you think about these rather tentative steps that have been taken here to show court on television and whether we are moving on the right track.”

An amused Shapiro replied: “First of all, it’s an honour to be on with Lord Sumption, second, let me say that I am Robert Shapiro, an adviser to Democratic presidents, not the lawyer.

“You called the wrong Robert Shapiro.”

In response, Davis said: “Oh my goodness, what a mistake we made. You are obviously in our Rolodex. I am surprised we didn’t pick that up in the pre-conversation.”

“I am surprised too,” Shapiro said.

Despite the blunder, Shapiro carried on to provide his views on new draft legislation that could lead to TV cameras being allowed into crown courts to broadcast judges’ sentencing remarks.

He was joined over the phone by former Supreme Court justice Lord Sumption, who the show had correctly contacted.

Davis said: “We are obviously mortified by this. I hope we have the former Supreme Court justice Lord Sumption on the line. ”

Speaking at the end of the segment, Davis said to Shapiro: “That is the worst mistake on air we have made since I think I started on this programme.

“Thank you so much anyway for knowing so much about it.”