Miss Universe host Steve Harvey made a major slip at the ceremony held at Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas. The comedian announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner of the pageant.

Gutierrez was wearing the crown when Harvey returned to apologise, as the real winner was Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of Philippines. He said: "I will take responsibility. It was my mistake ... Please don't hold it against the ladies."

He also took to his Twitter account to address the incident. He wrote in a series of tweets: "I'd like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible. Secondly, I'd like to apologize to the viewers at that I disappointed as well. Again it was an honest mistake. I don't want to take away from this amazing night and pageant. As well as the wonderful contestants. They were all amazing."

I'd like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible.

— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015

Secondly, I'd like to apologize to the viewers at that I disappointed as well. Again it was an honest mistake.

— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015

I don't want to take away from this amazing night and pageant. As well as the wonderful contestants. They were all amazing.

— Steve Harvey (@IAmSteveHarvey) December 21, 2015

At the event, Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega took the crown from Gutierrez and placed it on Wurtzbach's head instead. Click here to take a look at the video.

Meanwhile, Harvey received major backlash on the social networking website. ESPN's Darren Rovell called it "the worst mistake in TV awards show history".

WE ASKED ONE HUNDRED AMERICANS WHAT'S THE WORST THING YOU COULD POSSIBLY DO AT A BEAUTY PAGEANT

— Langston Taylor (@langstonitaylor) December 21, 2015

If only Steve Harvey had experience reading correct answers off of cards in front of a live audience.

— Ramzy Nasrallah (@ramzy) December 21, 2015