07 August 2024 , 18:16
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BBC star Greg James has taken aim at rioters who have torn through the streets of major towns and cities across the country over the past week.
Dozens of demonstrations have been taking place following the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport last Monday.
Now, BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg, 38, has hit out at those targeting innocent people and business owners.
Posting a comment on Instagram, he simply wrote: ‘Oh and while I’m on one…here’s a thing that isn’t talked about nearly enough…
‘Racists are so f***ing ugly aren’t they. They really have got the faces they deserve. Absolute mingers.’
The national broadcaster’s guidance for its employees on social media advises them to be ‘assume anything you say or post will be viewed critically’.
He posted this message on social media (Picture: Greg James/ Instagram)
It also reads: ‘Be aware that there is no difference between how a personal and an ‘official’ account is perceived on social media: disclaimers do not offer protection.’
Last year the BBC introduced new rules that would see its stars face disciplinary action if they fail to adhere to new social media guidelines, with Greg named as one of the flagship stars who would fall under the rules.
Although it was announced he and others, including Gary Lineker, would be allowed to express their views on issues and policies, they would be banned from political campaigning and criticising the character of individual politicans.
Greg’s comment follows other BBC stars speaking out about the shocking events sweeping the country.
Greg did not mince his words (Picture: Alan Chapman/ Dave Benett/ Getty Images)
Earlier this week BBC presenter Lauren Laverne addressed the violent disorder in Sunderland provoked by far-right rioters in a moving message.
The 46-year-old, known for presenting on The One Show and BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, said she was ‘heartbroken’ for her home city.
In a post on Instagram, she wrote: ‘Heartbroken for my hometown last night.
‘Sending love and solidarity to everyone beginning the cleanup today. Pic via @poprecs #sunderland.’
Meanwhile Good Morning Britain star Alex Beresford also made a heartbreaking declaration about not feeling ‘at home’ in England amid the riots.
The ITV weather presenter, 43, took to X on Sunday, expressing his devastation at the far-right violence across the UK, following attacks in areas including Rotherham, Middlesbrough, Bristol and Bolton.
Over the past week, extremists have smashed windows, shops, cars and lit bins on fire, with social media clips showing ‘race checkpoints’ set up in Middlesbrough, a Liverpool library which hosts a food bank set on fire, and petrol bombs thrown at a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Tamworth.
Alex, who hails from Bristol, shared: ‘I was born here but this weekend it didn’t feel like home, and I know so many who felt the same.’
Adding a heartbroken emoji, he said: ‘Guess we’ll all just go to work like normal Monday morning.’