ITV pulls the plug on controversial Dapper Laughs show
ITV has pulled the plug on its controversial Dapper Laughs show, just 24 hours after defending the comedian, following a social media backlash against the ‘sexist’ entertainer.
Laughs, aka Daniel O’Reilly, had been subject of a petition signed by over 50,000 people calling for him to be taken off air, a call the broadcaster has now heeded.
An ITV spokesperson remarked: “We have given careful thought to the recent criticism of the character Dapper Laughs, which has focused on his activities outside of the ITV2 programme, whose content was carefully considered and complied. We have taken the decision that we will not be considering this show for a second series."
The climbdown followed the emergence of YouTube footage of Laughs at a stand-up comedy gig in London at which he singled out a woman in the front row for a ‘rape’ joke’ He said: “She’s gagging for a rape. Yep, we’ll have a chat afterwards. She’s having a chat about ‘yeah, I get quite tight but I get a bit… poor girl.
“Do you want to come backstage after? Bring two of your mates, you’ll need them.”
The axed show featured Laughs doling out dating advice to participants with controversial advice such as ‘Just show her your penis. If she cries, she’s just playing hard to get’ and ‘remember, it’s only sexual harassment if she’s more attractive than you.’