This Morning’s Eamonn Holmes in race row for calling Meghan Markle ‘uppity’
This Morning star Eamonn Holmes has reportedly been reprimanded by ITV bosses for describing Meghan Markle as 'uppity', due to the term's racial connotations, according to the Mail on Sunday.
It's claimed a This Morning viewer complained when Holmes discussed an incident in which security personnel tried to stop tennis fans taking photos of the Duchess of Sussex at Wimbledon.
The TV host, who is married to Ruth Langsford, commented at the time: "If you have an uppity attitude, you're only through the door two minutes and suddenly you're sitting at Wimbledon and your royal protection are saying, 'No photographs, no photographs!'"
The viewer reportedly complained to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, saying the word was racist.
This Morning fans 'distracted' by Holly Willoughby's bra wardrobe malfunction
This Morning fans gobsmacked as Chris Evans 'strips' for Holly and Phillip live on air
also apparently wrote to the TV network's Head of Diversity, Ade Rawcliffe.
The word 'uppity' was used in the US in the 19th Century as an insult to black people who 'didn't know their place'.
It's claimed Holmes, 59, wasn't aware of the word's historical context and ITV defended the presenter.
The publication says Holmes is now fully aware of the word's meaning and has promised not to use it again.
ITV have now reportedly banned the use of the word completely.
This Morning fans nostalgic as Gladiators' Ace unveils 19-year transformation
This Morning star Alison Hammond 'becomes latest Celebs Go Dating signing'
After discussion with Ofcom, Rawcliffe reportedly wrote to the upset viewer saying: "Eamonn was unaware of the history of the term 'uppity' and how it could be interpreted when describing Meghan Markle.
"We are not saying that ignorance is in any way a defence, he was using the term to describe what he interpreted as arrogance.
"The origins of the term have now been explained to Eamonn and the wider editorial team and it won't be used again. We apologise for any offence that this may have caused you."
The complainant is reportedly furious that Holmes has not made a public apology, though.
Ofcom have confirmed to Mail on Sunday they will research audience attitudes to the word in their future work to ensure that viewers aren't offended in future.
Daily Star Online has contacted a representative of Eamonn and ITV for comment.
- Eamonn Holmes
- Meghan Markle
- ITV
- This Morning
Source: Read Full Article