Australia's Next Top Model finale mistake

<i>Australia's Next Top Model</i> host Sarah Murdoch. Photo / Supplied

Australian television network Foxtel is to give the runner-up in Australia's Next Top Model $25,000, after the host wrongly announced her as the winner in last night's finale.

Sarah Murdoch, the daughter-in-law of Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch, made the gaffe in front of a live audience during the show's 90-minute finale at Sydney's Luna Park.

After much suspense, Kelsey Martinovich was announced the winner over finalist Amanda Ware.

As Ms Ware gave her runner-up speech, thanking the judges and public for their support, Ms Murdoch became ashen-faced when she was told through her earpiece of the error.

"Oh my god, I don't know what to say right now. I'm feeling a bit sick about this," Ms Murdoch said, as the contestants stood on stage, stunned.

"No ... I'm so sorry about this. I don't know what to say. This is a complete accident, it's Amanda.

"I'm so sorry, it was fed to me wrong.

"This is what happens when you have live TV folks, I'm so sorry."

In a statement, Foxtel's director of publicity, Jamie Campbell, said Ms Martinovich would receive $25,000, as well as a trip to New York to make up for the error.

"Tonight we saw the perils of live TV," Ms Campbell said. "At the time of the result announcement, there was a miscommunication between the broadcast truck and the stage.

"Sarah handled what was a difficult situation with utmost professionalism and grace. Amanda and Kelsey were neck and neck in the voting all night."

Ms Ware, 18, won herself a contract with Priscilla's modelling agency, a $25,000 contract to appear in a Levi's campaign, a trip to New York to meet the Elite agency, a Ford Fiesta Zetec, $20,000 cash and a spread for Harper's Bazaar Australia.