A political expert delivered some awkward television on Tuesday morning by naming a dead MP as contender to take the Speaker’s chair.

Federal Speaker Bronwyn Bishop resigned from her role on Sunday, buckling under pressure generated from a travel expenses scandal, including spending more than $5000 on a chartered helicopter flight from Melbourne to Geelong to attend a Liberal Party function.

While discussing the likelihood of a Liberal MP being chosen to replace Mrs Bishop, on Tuesday’s ABC News Breakfast, Deakin University lecturer Scott Burchill threw up an awkward suggestion.

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“Don Randall?” Dr Burchill said.

Breakfast hosts Michael Rowland and Virginia Trioli were startled by the comment.

“No, he’s dead,” Mr Rowland was quick to point out.

West Australian MP Don Randall died suddenly in July, with police saying he suffered a suspected heart attack.

After some uncomfortable backtracking, the pair agreed that the academic had meant to nominate Victorian MP Tony Smith.

“Sorry, not Don Randall, no,” Dr Burchill said.

“Tony Smith, from Victoria. Sorry, wrong name, sorry.”

Dr Burchill is a senior lecturer in international relations who regularly appears as a media commentator.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Tony Abbott suggested the controversy over the former Speaker’s travel expenses may have ended her political career.

Mr Smith and South Australian Andrew Southcott have been touted as possible replacements, with “Father of the House” Philip Ruddock saying colleagues had also approached him about taking the chair.