BBC Broadcaster Sacked For Comparing Royal Baby To A Chimpanzee
BBC radio broadcaster Danny Baker has been sacked over a now-deleted tweet which compared the new royal baby to a chimpanzee.
The post showed an image of a couple holding hands with a chimpanzee wearing a coat, with the caption: “Royal Baby leaves hospital”.
Baker, the popular BBC Radio 5 Live broadcaster, was accused of mocking the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle’s African-American heritage.
Markle and Prince Harry’s first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on Monday and is seventh in line to the throne. He is also the first bi-racial British-American royal.
Following the backlash, Baker took to Twitter to apologise for the “gag” post.
He wrote: “Sincere apologies for the stupid unthinking gag pic earlier.
“Was supposed to be joke about Royals vs circus animals in posh clothes but interpreted as about monkeys & race, so rightly deleted.
“Royal watching not my forte.”
A few hours later, Baker confirmed he had been fired from his BBC broadcasting gig in a call he described as “a masterclass of pompous faux-gravity”.
Just got fired from @bbc5live.
For the record – it was red sauce. Always.— Danny Baker (@prodnose) May 9, 2019
“[The call] took a tone that said I actually meant that ridiculous tweet and the BBC must uphold blah blah blah,” he tweeted.
“Literally threw me under the bus. Could hear the suits’ knees knocking.”
In a statement to BBC News, a spokesperson for the corporation said Baker’s tweet was “a serious error of judgement” that goes against “the values we as a station aim to embody”.
However, not everyone was happy that Baker got the sack while Sky News host Adam Boulton didn’t suffer the same fate for a similarly racist tweet.
Less than a day before Baker’s tweet, Sky News host Boulton faced severe backlash after tweeting about an incident where Jews were spat at in Edgware Road.
He said in response to an incident where Jewish friends visiting London from Washington DC were spat at on Edgware Road for wearing yarmulkes: “No excuse but it is a Middle Eastern quarter”.
The backlash following his tweet was severe, and he later apologised saying: “My recent tweets are being misunderstood and misinterpreted. I apologise for any offence given which was never intended and will delete the comment.”
However, Twitter users are not happy that Baker was fired, while Boulton’s remark didn’t even get a response from Sky News.
Jack Mendel, web editor for Jewish News UK tweeted: “I hear Danny Baker has been fired from Radio 5live by the BBC. How to crash your career in a second…
“Astonishing… that Adam Boulton’s remark yesterday didn’t even get a response from Sky News, but Baker gets sacked.’”
Sky News is yet to comment on Boulton’s tweet.
Latest News
Bryce Mills & Ebony Boadu Will Take Over triple J Breakfast In January
triple j has announced that Bryce Mills and Ebony Boadu will take over triple j Breakfast in January 2021. Hailing from Moranbah via Woy Woy, 26-year-old Bryce Mills got his start in community radio, presenting on 2SER, before absolutely sweating triple j management to give him a job. Mills jumped at the chance to helm […]
Google And Facebook Explore Options Ahead Of News Media Bargaining Code
Both Google and Facebook are both on the lookout for local content partners, according to reports, ahead of the introduction of the News Media Bargaining Code. The AFR has reported that Google has been in contact with Nine, News Corp and Seven West Media in recent weeks, to gauge the interest of a potential deal. The report […]
Camille Baumann Joins eWave As Chief Customer Officer
Global independent commerce innovator, eWave, has announced the appointment of Camille Baumann to the new role of chief customer officer. Baumann brings a wealth of expertise to eWave. Previously MD of Accenture’s Microsoft Business Group (Avanade), she was part of the Global Executive Leadership team, heading up APAC and Latin America regions to deliver Connected […]
Big Brands Follow Familiar Formulas In This Year’s Christmas Campaigns
In this guest post, Dear Stoyteller’s MD Mike Drysdale dissects the four big retailers Christmas’ TVCs and finds, in spite of COVID, they’re following a very familiar festive formula… This year more than ever, for businesses big and small, the Christmas ad campaign may feel like it’s make or break. What’s the theme? Nothing too […]
Heart Foundation CMO Chris Taylor Departs
Chris Taylor will be leaving the Heart Foundation after almost three years as chief marketing officer. As the organisation’s first CMO, Talor had a mandate to establish a first-class marketing team to drive the Brand, Marketing and Digital strategies and support the organisation’s move into a new era as it transitioned from nine separate entities […]
Can’t Carry Ya Pints? The Four-Beer Holding Super Schooner Has Arrived
In a year full of challenges and set-backs, Ogilvy Sydney set out to solve a problem which has long troubled Australia’s beer drinking community—how to carry four schooner glasses at the one time. This tricky dilemma is hotly debated online among a passionate subculture of schooner carrying experts, with Facebook and Instagram groups devoted to […]
WPP AUNZ Announces It Will Give Back Staff Salary Sacrifices
WPP AUNZ has today announced the return of the majority of salary sacrifices made by staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the positive financial results for the business, and the announcement of return to full salaries in August, the news reinforces WPP AUNZ’s commitment to the wellbeing of its staff whilst recognising sacrifices made during unexpected circumstances. The decision offers […]
WPP PLC Moves To Take Control Of All Of WPP AUNZ
BREAKING: Big news this morning, as WPP HQ makes its move on the local Aussie operations.
Australian National University Pitches Creative Accounts
The Australian National University (ANU) is approaching the market for agency partners offering services in the following categories: creative services, public relations, marketing and brand for the next 3-7 years. ANU is a highly esteemed national institution known for its excellence in research and teaching and has been ranked as Australia’s number one university since 2004 […]
Kyle & Jackie O Celebrate 20 Years On Air Together
Kyle & Jackie O celebrate two decades on air together. Apparently, Alan sent some fresh-baked scones as congratulations.
Media Agency Half Dome Named Fastest Growing Tech Company In Deloitte Tech Fast 50 2020
The winners of Deloitte's Tech Fast 50 2020 are in with Blockbuster Video sadly not managing a guernsey again this year.
‘Introducing with Tim Blackwell’ Podcast Launched By Nova Entertainment
With so many podcasts these days will humans ultimately form a third ear? Or, will they just hit the stop button?
Patagonia Says No To Black Friday, Cyber Monday: “Buy Less, Demand More”
Patagonia has the perfect knack of getting you out amongst nature while feeling really bad about it at the same time.
Thursday TV Wrap: Viewers Rack The Cue As Non-Ratings Sets In
TV ratings have officially finished for 2020, meaning it's cricket, Big Bash & repeats of Bondi Recue until February.
“Clean-Up In Aisle Five!” Shopper Goes Berko, Destroys Aldi’s Entire Alcohol Section
B&T warns the footage of Aldi's booze section being destroyed will be distressing for students & young adland employees.
Mari Kauppinen To Lead The Marketing Practice’s New Australian Office
Mari Kauppinen to head Marketing Practice’s Aussie office. Insists there'll be no crocheted doily on spare toilet roll.
Nielsen Connect Partner Network Welcomes Australian Tech Platform Glow
Here's one for B&T's techy readership. Which is really just a euphemism for "you probably won't udnerstand any of it".
Winners Of Latest OMA Creative Collection Competition Revealed
Here is the cream of Australia's outdoor industry. And, rest assured, Clive Palmer does not feature in any capacity.
What Sales Executives Need To Survive In The AC (After COVID-19) Era
Admittedly, B&T's rarely first with the buzzwords, however, a quick glimpse of this headline will show our cool cachet.
Aussie Undies Subscription Brand KNOBBY Rolls Out Amusing Fortune-Teller Campaign
If B&T could offer one simple observation - KNOBBY is a tremendous name for a brand of men's underpants.
Santa Ends Up On The Psychiatrist’s Couch In Truly Nutty Spot For The Norwegian Postal Service
Does the mere thought of Christmas have you pondering ink blots at your psychiatrist? Empathise with this lunacy.
Animal Extinction Compared to Black Friday Sale In Clever & Confronting Ad For Born Free Foundation
Want to see the perfect example of an agency doing clever and doing good at the very same time? Watch this cracker.
Telco Firm Orange Delivers Heart-Warming Christmas Treat Via Publicis
This heart-warming spot comes with plenty of "oohs" and "aahs". Stub your toe and add in some extra "faaarks" too.
Pringles Declares “Let’s Celebrate” In New Christmas Campaign
Ever wanted to experience the sheer addictiveness of monosodium glutamate & dextrose? Pop Pringles and you won't stop.
Zoom Gloom And Screen Fatigue In The Era Of COVID
Here's top health tips on surviving lockdown & Zoom etc. Sadly, he lost B&T staff at the "diet and exercise" juncture.
Cadbury Australia Launches Live Santa In World First
If there's one uptick to COVID, at least you won't have to spring 90 bucks for a single photo with Santa this year.
“Bullsh*t!”: Sandilands Mocks Woman’s Day Over Claims Of A ‘Kyle & Jackie O’ Split
This "Kyle slams Woman's Day" story would've been almost perfect if B&T could've somehow tied Roxy Jacenko into it too.
Alpha Digital Snares Krispy Kreme Contract, Among Others
Elasticised pants suddenly all the rage among Alpha Digital staff after snaring Krispy Kreme's business.
ABC Slammed For All-White Presenters In 2021 Flagship Program Line-Up
ABC slammed for all-white presenters. Stranger still, not even one sarcastic tweet from Yassmin Abdel-Magied.
Creative Studios Bear Meets Eagle On Fire, SPEED Appointed By Wisr
Wisr looks past the preposterously silly name and appoints creative studio Bear Meets Eagle On Fire.
