WATCH: Producers issue apology for the worst TV prank ever

We would love to know how the decision to stage this prank was made? Did no one stop at any point and wonder if they were doing the right thing?

A Cambodian TV show has issued an apology to 13-year-old Autumn Allen after playing a cruel prank on her live on air.

Autumn Allen - a singer - appeared on the Penh Chet Ort ('Like it or Not') programme for a Mother's Day special.

On the show, she was told her "dream to meet her mother would come true". Autumn hasn't seen her mother since she was six years old when she and her father moved to Cambodia.

Autumn then shared some memories of her mother who remained in the US.

"She held me and kissed me and told me that she would always love me," she said.

After a long build-up, local comedian Chuop Rolin, known for cross-dressing in his acts, emerged from backstage - not Autumn's mother.

One of the presenters then asked her "What are you thinking, did you think it was real?"

"I don't know," Autumn replied.

Rolin asked that she kiss her 'mother's' cheek - she refused.

After widespread anger on social media, MyTV issued an apology to Autumn, who says she had fun on the show despite everything.

"On that day I was very excited because I thought [my mother] was actually coming," she told the Phnom Penh Post yesterday.

"At the moment I was sad that I could not see my real mother, but I had fun doing the show.

"Initially I was disappointed, but Rolin made me laugh so I had fun on the show."

READ MORE: German magazine falls for Waterford Whispers story on Lidl ’stampede’ .