ITV defends comedian Dapper Laughs in sexism row
Broadcaster ITV has moved to defend the comedian Dapper Laughs following accusations that the presenter of its ‘On the Pull’ dating show is sexist.
Laughs, real name Daniel O’Reilly, has raised eyebrows with his use if catchphrases such as ‘proper moist’ and streams of lewd jokes - many related to engaging in sex with other people’s mothers.
This has generated accusations that the show is sexist and disrespectful to women but in a rebuttal ITV said in a statement: “We realise that all humour is subjective and accept that Dapper’s humour is more risqué but feel that his unique brand of banter and brash charm is neither sexist nor degrading to women and that this approach to pulling is based on displaying the right attitude to women in order to succeed.”
The statement followed a decision by homeless charity Shelter to refuse to accept any donations arising from sales of Dapper’s Christmas album, after raising concerns over his ‘sexist’ homeless jokes.
The comedian later apologised for causing any offence by saying: "I think it's important that if we overstep the mark and cause upset that we apologise. I'd like to say sorry to those people who I have upset by my comments."