US news network NBC News has run a story about the number of Americans who could catch the flu this winter.

But the most gripping part is not the revelation about how few people have been immunised, nor the sad story of a pupil missing her winter ball, but the stock image used by the show.

Ed Miliband. Blowing his nose.

You can watch a clip of the report featuring the degrading snap of the former Labour leader, tweeted by an NBC correspondent, here:

Flu season is the worst! Tonight on @NBCNightlyNews... everything you need to know about this year's flu:( https://t.co/asn5L2Yrq5 — Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBC) December 19, 2016



One minute you think you're about to become Prime Minister, the next you find global recognition by honking into a tissue.