‘But racism is racism, it really doesn’t become acceptable because it comes from the older generations’
The BBC has apologised to viewers after Strictly’s Len Goodman said he’d never had curry powder before and his grandmother called it “foreign muck.”
While attending Sunday’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the 78-year-old dance expert told host Kirsty Young that he’d never tried coronation chicken until this year’s events.
When quizzed on whether he was a good cook, Goodman said: “My wife did Coronation Chicken yesterday for our tea. I’ve never had it before. I’ve never had curry powder before, no. My nan used to call it all foreign muck. But I must say it was delicious, so tasty.”
A dollop of old fashioned British Empire xenophobia from Len Goodman on the BBC's Jubilee coverage:
"Curry and curry power… my nan used to call it all foreign muck". pic.twitter.com/osDXEgIQJD
— Adam Schwarz (@AdamJSchwarz) June 5, 2022
His remarks sparked criticism, with one Twitter user saying it demonstrated “British Empire xenophobia.”
Clare Balding was forced to address the statement later on in the broadcast when she apologised to anyone who may have been “offended” by his statements.
https://twitter.com/DaveMooreArt/status/1533689712803823616
But that isn’t to say the social media fury has ended, as one person wrote: “Len Goodman’s gran might have taken her driving test in a horse and carriage. But racism is racism, it really doesn’t become acceptable because it comes from the older generations.”
The state of that fucking tie 🤢🤢 https://t.co/cRytAS0YUr
— Fusilli Jerry (@adham_ede) June 5, 2022
“Petition to get the BBC and Len Goodman to apologise for his choice of words calling Coronation Chicken “foreign muck” in the words of his nan, apparently,” scathed another. “Appalling and NO excuses because of his age. We forgive older generations for things like this too much. #PlatinumJubilee.”
Related links:
- This hilarious Queen moment from Jubilee Party is now an instant meme
- Nadine Dorries in Twitter war over claims Boris Johnson was booed at Jubilee
- Buckingham Palace confirms Queen will not attend Epsom Derby on Saturday
- The Queen smiles and waves to crowds on Buckingham Palace balcony as Jubilee weekend ends
