Sally Hitchiner, a vicar who was dubbed by The Times as ‘The Vicar Wears Prada’ due to her penchant for high-end fashion, was left speechless after being outed during an interview with Channel 5 News presenter Matt Barbet live on the air.

Hitchiner, known to the public as being a popular and experienced commentator on current affairs, was in the midst of a discussion on the General Synod’s vote on women bishops, when Barbet mentioned that she happened to be a gay vicar.

Notoriously private, Hitchiner gave an interview with a national newspaper in recent months in which she stated that she “has no children and doesn’t talk about her private life”. She revealed only that she “found God” when she was 12 at a church in Toxteth, listens to Radiohead, and would like to be able to afford more Prada than her vicar’s salary allows.

According to The Telegraph, the vicar was led off set following the accidental slip, which was watched on by gobsmacked green room researchers, but appeared philosophical about what had just happened saying, “I suppose it was bound to come out eventually”.

“My parents know. It is not as if anyone who loves me will be shocked”, Hitchiner confirmed.