Miss Universe shock: Miss Colombia accidentally crowned the winner before Miss Philippines given the crown

• Miss Universe contestants share make-up free selfies

Miss Colombia has been accidentally crowned the winner of Miss Universe in a shock ending to the beauty pageant.

Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez was announced the winner, with several news sites reporting her win before it was revealed she was actually the first runner-up.

Former Miss Universe Paulina Vega, centre, removes the crown from Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez, left, before giving it to Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, right. Photo: John Locher

Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach was crowned the 2015 winner a short time later.

Gutierrez was then named first runner-up, followed by USA's Olivia Jordan as second runner-up.

Host Steve Harvey was forced to apologise on behalf of the organisers. 

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Miss Universe 2015: Miss Colombia accidentally crowned the winner

Miss Colombia accidentally crowned the winner, what happens next is the stuff of live TV nightmares. Photo: Getty

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The blunder was put down to human error, with Harvey taking responsibility for the mistake that took everyone by surprise during the live telecast.

"We feel so badly, but it's still a great night," Harvey said as a teary Gutierrez was de-crowned by fellow Colombian and last year's winner, Paulina Vega and a shocked-looking Wurtzbach was crowned the winner.

Harvey also tweeted an apology calling it a "terribly honest human mistake".

Adding insult to injury, he initially tweeted his remorse by misspelling Philippines and Colombia. 

The scene was reminiscent of one of the most dramatic stuff-ups in the history of Australian live television, when Australia's Next Top Model host Sarah Murdoch announced the wrong winner of the reality show in 2010.

Australian Monika Radulovic failed to make the final three of the contest.

​Radulovic was competing to be the next Aussie to take the crown after Jennifer Hawkins won the world title in 2004 but lost out to Miss USA, Miss Colombia and Miss Philippines.

The 25-year-old from Sydney wore a Dame Edna Everage inspired gown for the national costume category, designed by Sydney's Timothy Cubbo, for the contest in Las Vegas on Monday.

The other contestant knocked out in the second-last round was Miss France.

​Radulovic impressed judges and the internet with her considered response in the Q&A portion of the event.

The 24-year-old, who holds an honours degree in psychology, stated she supports the legalisation of marijuana and said she agrees with Australia's steps to the decriminalise the drug. Adding that it has been beneficial in helping people in certain circumstances and "the government should weigh up both sides".

The final five were all asked questions based on hot button issues in their homelands.

Miss USA was quizzed on gun control where she called on the United States to impose "stronger regulations". Miss France said politicians have to "listen to the people committing these attacks and find the problem at its heart" regarding the terror attacks in Paris.

Miss Colombia said education was key in combating drug abuse and Miss Philippines welcomes the US military entering her country.

The pageant that pits international beauties against one another began with women representing 80 countries between the ages of 19 and 27.

For the first time, viewers at home were able to weigh in, with their votes being tallied in addition to four in-person celebrity judges, which was minus Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump who sold the rights to the event in September.

The drama continued outside when a car ploughed into the crowd near where the pageant was taking place in Las Vegas, injuring at least 11.

Fairfax Media with AAP