A seemingly lighthearted moment on a popular spin-off show quickly turned serious for comedian Joel Dommett, prompting a sincere apology. During a recent broadcast, Dommett made a joke referencing “shanking” – a term deeply connected to knife crime – and immediately faced a sharp response from co-hosts Ant and Dec, who cautioned him that he’d “overstepped the mark.”
Dommett swiftly acknowledged his misstep, offering an on-air apology. He later reiterated his remorse in a statement, emphasizing that the comment wasn’t scripted and he would never intentionally diminish the gravity of knife crime. The incident sparked a wider conversation about the casual use of language linked to serious societal issues.
ITV, the network airing the show, also issued an apology to anyone who found the language offensive, acknowledging Dommett’s quick response and regret. The incident comes at a time when knife crime remains a significant concern, with statistics revealing around 53,000 offences involving a sharp instrument recorded in England and Wales in the past year.
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The Ben Kinsella Trust, a charity dedicated to educating young people about the dangers of knife crime, weighed in on the situation. Their CEO, Patrick Green, stated that while Dommett’s intent wasn’t malicious, the incident underscores how normalized the language of violence has become, urging a stronger stance against joking about such a critical issue.
Dommett, known for hosting both the “I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” spin-off and “The Masked Singer,” previously participated in “I’m A Celebrity” himself, finishing as runner-up in 2016. This wasn’t the only apology he offered this week; a separate incident involving an unexpected encounter with a critter on air led to an immediate, albeit brief, expression of regret for using a swear word.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the power of language and the importance of sensitivity, even within the context of entertainment. It highlights the need for constant awareness of the potential impact of words, particularly when they touch upon deeply sensitive and pressing social concerns.
