A HILARIOUS gaffe left a pro-Brexit newspaper red-faced after they published a photo of a fake blue passport online.

In an article celebrating the return of the "iconic" British document, the Daily Express led with an image of what they indicated was the new blue passport design - but which was actually a fake featuring a quote from the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Looking closely at the image used to head the article, the passport clearly displays the phrase "your mother was a hamster" front and centre.

The National: A screenshot of the passport photo in situA screenshot of the passport photo in situ

The Daily Express's caption to the image describes it as the "totemic blue British passport".

The image originated on Twitter, and was posted when blue passports where first announced in 2018.

Twitter user @MichaelSzydlo spotted the error and shared it online, claiming that they were "pissing myself laughing". 

While the new passport is unlikely to include a Monty Python quote, they are expected to start rolling out mid-2020.

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: “The new blue passport design will start being issued from early 2020.

“Blue passports will be phased in over a number of months.

“If you renew your passport during this initial period, you may be issued with either a blue or a burgundy British passport.

“All styles of passport will be equally valid for travel."