Television star Regis Philbin raved about Bermuda during his network show `Live with Regis and Kelly' on Monday.

He told the show's five million viewers about the vacation he and his wife Joy took to Bermuda last week.

Holding up a picture of the Island, he said: "Here is Bermuda, the real Bermuda. The sun is shining, it is so clean. It is just a beautiful island."

According to a Department of Tourism press release, Regis spent ten minutes describing his trips to Front Street and the Crystal Caves, his "wonderful" visit to the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Southampton, and his tennis match at Elbow Beach Resort.

It follows major recent articles in the New York Times and Asbury Park Press which praised the Island.

Tourism Minister Renee Webb said: "Bermuda Department of Tourism is so pleased that the Island is achieving this type of quality exposure.

"This kind of recognition in the North American media is sure to thrust Bermuda to the forefront of the travelling public's mind."

The `20/20' segment on Bermuda's use of a Hawaiian beach in its tourism advertising campaign is scheduled to air tonight on ABC.

The network's website says that reporter John Stossel reviewed advertisements to find "doctored photographs of movie stars and beautiful beach scenes from Bermuda that weren't from Bermuda at all".

The `Give Me A Break' feature will air on `20/20' on Channel 7 beginning at 11 p.m.