A BBC radio host has been fired over a controversial photo he tweeted comparing the royal baby to a chimpanzee.
Danny Baker, 61, announced on Twitter he’s been fired. He wrote:
“Just got fired from @bbc5live.
For the record – it was red sauce. Always.”
This is a post by Danny Baker. The royal baby is less than three days old. Danny Baker works for the BBC. In any other field this would be gross misconduct. I await the "not a racist bone in my body" statement from Danny, or a P45 from the BBC. Only 3 days old. pic.twitter.com/jF9iUl4duO
— (Almost) Always Positive 💙+ (@NubiBlue) May 9, 2019
The BBC also reported the news.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced the arrival of their new baby to the whole world on Monday and everybody was happy and celebrating with them.
On Wednesday, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan introduced their son to the public for the first time. They revealed that their new baby was named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
The new baby, Archie, who is seventh in line to the British throne, is expected to hold dual citizenship of Britain and the U.S
Shortly afterwards, BBC Radio 5 Live host Danny Baker posted an old black-and-white photo of a couple accompanied by a well-dressed chimpanzee, and captioned it:
“Royal baby leaves hospital.” The tweet quickly went viral with worldwide condemnation and accusations of racism against the duchess, whose biracial background has been targeted by trolls.
Danny Baker was accused of mocking the duchess’ racial heritage.
“This was a serious error of judgment”, a BBC spokesperson said:
The corporation added that Baker’s tweet “goes against the values we as a station aim to embody.
“Danny is a brilliant broadcaster, but will no longer be presenting a weekly show with us.”
After an initial backlash on social media, Baker said: “Sorry my gag pic of the little fella in the posh outfit has whipped some up. Never occurred to me because, well, mind not diseased.
“Soon as those good enough to point out its possible connotations got in touch, down it came; and that’s it.’’
Sorry my gag pic of the little fella in the posh outfit has whipped some up. Never occurred to me because, well, mind not diseased. Soon as those good enough to point out it's possible connotations got in touch, down it came. And that's it. Now stand by for sweary football tweets
— Danny Baker (@prodnose) May 8, 2019
Ha! I see my silly unthinking gag pic earlier has me trending. Last time that happened it had been announced I had head cancer. On balance…
— Danny Baker (@prodnose) May 8, 2019
Here we go.
Opened door, grinning Mail hack.
"Do you think black people look like monkeys?"
Any other time you'd knock someone right on their arse for saying that.
No mate. Gag pic. Posh baby chimp. Alerted to circs. Appalled. Deleted. Apologised.
He asks again! #MailonRacism— Danny Baker (@prodnose) May 9, 2019
Now Sky at the door.
Would have used same stupid pic for any other Royal birth or Boris Johnson kid or even one of my own. It's a funny image. (Though not of course in that context.) Enormous mistake, for sure. Grotesque.
Anyway, here's to ya Archie, Sorry mate.#Occam #Razor— Danny Baker (@prodnose) May 9, 2019
