27 September 2023 , 20:03
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Dan Wottoon's GB News replacement has been revealed as Mark Dolan covered the 9PM slot this evening after a controversial day which saw both Wootton and Laurence Fox suspended.
"I didn't expect to be here tonight - I was planning on washing my hair," he said as he opened the show. "Dan's absence tonight is out of my control and there is an investigation ongoing."
GB News bosses suspended Wootton following comments made on his programme by Laurence Fox last night. Earlier today, in a statement shared on Twitter, the opinion-led news channel said: "GB News has suspended Dan Wootton following comments made on his programme by Laurence Fox last night. This follows our decision earlier today to formally suspend Mr Fox. We are conducting a full investigation."
During the GB News broadcast on Tuesday night, Wootton and Fox discussed Ms Evans comments made by the former LBC producer during her appearance BBC Politics Live on Monday, with the journalist attracting attention due to her remarks about men's mental health. Following her appearance on the BBC show, Ms Evans tweeted: "I was a little rash on my anti-minister for men comments which I do regret and am actually very interested in a brief for a minister on young men’s mental health."
Fox appeared on Tonight on Tuesday night, during which the actor turned aspiring politician . During the broadcast, Fox described Ms Evans as a "little woman" and declared: "We don’t need these sort of feminist 4.0" who, he said, are "pathetic and embarrassing", adding: "Who would want to sh** that?"
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The comments from Fox sparked a furious backlash online - with Ms Evans telling her Twitter (aka X) followers she felt physically sick following the broadcast - and . This morning, just minutes before his suspension was announced by GB News, Fox took to Twitter to
Earlier today, as GB News announced his suspension, Fox quote-tweeted Wootton’s apology to Ms Evans following last night’s broadcast and shared a screenshot of a conversation presumably between himself and Wootton.
The messages appear to show Fox telling the New Zealand born journalist: "Making you giggle is my weekly joy," as the recipient replies: "You can imagine them freaking out in the gallery!!!" alongside three laughing emojis. Fox captioned the image: "Honesty is the best policy."
Was GB News right to suspend Laurence Fox and Dan Wootton over Ava Evans insults? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
It comes after his last tweet read: "I want to reiterate my regret over last night’s exchange with Laurence on GB News. Having looked at the footage, I can see how inappropriate my reaction to his totally unacceptable remarks appears to be and want to be clear that I was in no way amused by the comments.
"I reacted as I did out of shock and surprise in an off guard moment while working out how to respond as he continued to speak by searching for tweets @AvaSantina had sent earlier in the day while having them read out in my ear at the same time.
"However, I should have intervened immediately to challenge offensive and misogynistic remarks. I apologise unreservedly for what was a very unfortunate lapse in judgement on my part under the intense pressure of a bizarre exchange. I know I should have done better. I'm devastated that I let down the team and our supportive GBN family. We seek to tackle the issue and not the person, which I intend to stress again on air tonight."
However, following his suspension, Wootton will not be on air tonight. It has not yet been announced who will be covering for the former showbiz editor of The Sun.