Countdown’s Rachel Riley has apologised to John and Edward Grimes, after she shared what was deemed to be a ‘hurtful’ comment about the twins.
Rachel’s comments come as a response to UK rapper Wiley’s anti-Semitic Twitter rant on Friday night. In the rant Wiley shared conspiracy theories and hate speech towards the Jewish community, causing upset among many users and resulting in him being banned from many social media sites.
Criticising Wiley’s actions, Rachel joked about him ruining his career while making an unnecessary jab at Jedward. In the now-deleted tweet she wrote:
“He could have just done a duet with Jedward if he was that keen to end his career. An unprompted, still going, public antisemitic breakdown is a bizarre route to go down.”
The Irish due however soon saw the tweet, and let Rachel know that the comment she made is not only hurtful but hypocritical too.
You are a patron for a Center for Countering Digital Hate? And yet here you are spreading Hate!! As anti bullying ambassadors we don’t approve of this! 👍🏻
— JEDWARD (@planetjedward) July 25, 2020
“You are a patron for a Centre for Countering Digital Hate? and yet here you are spreading Hate!! As anti-bullying ambassadors we don’t approve of this!”
Soon to realise her wrongdoing, the television presenter apologised to the boys, taking accountability for the comment she made.
Genuinely didn’t mean any offence to you, was just a joke and you were the least grime people I could think of. ❤️https://t.co/q9ftutt5H4 https://t.co/lDPn8w5i0h
— Rachel Riley (@RachelRileyRR) July 25, 2020
Jedward soon accepted Rachel’s apology, letting her know that they’re big fans of Countdown and wish her all the best for the future.
😆 Rachel good luck with the countdown we do love the show pic.twitter.com/Ek474n35gz
— JEDWARD (@planetjedward) July 25, 2020