23 March 2023 , 13:51
832
0
Craig David opened up about feeling bullied by Bo' Selecta and how the controversial show affected him.
The 00s sketch series title is based on the title of the Artful Dodger and Craig David song Re-Rewind (The Crowd Say Bo Selecta)".
Fronted by Leigh Francis, Craig was used as one of the main characters and used specific catchphrases.
The Celebrity Juice host performed a number of sketches during his popular Bo' Selecta show, in which he portrayed the character Avid Merrion, who was a stalker obsessed with celebrities and doing impressions.
Bo' Selecta was the subject of controversy for years and Craig previously said the series was "hurtful beyond belief".
Love Island's Zara sparks Ofcom storm as fans rush to complain about ugly scenes
Speaking about Bo' Selecta, Craig said: "I'm quite grateful it didn't translate overseas. It was very UK-based but because the UK was home for me, it hit home."
Craig recalled how he felt about the series (Getty Images for Bauer)
He even escaped to Miami for a while after it came out (Getty Images)He confessed he didn't know how to react to it at the time and wondered why it was suddenly "coming at me".
"What it was very reminiscent of was of days when I was at school growing up when I had been bullied. Not for long periods of time just experiences of bullying but when you've experienced it, it's like a trauma that sticks at you.
He felt like he was experiencing his school days all over again.
"It was like being ridiculed and bullied on national tv and the fact he was wearing a black rubber mask that throws in the whole thing of him blackfacing which wouldn't be acceptable now," he said on Spotify: Mic Check.
"It was unfortunate it became so popular but it is what it is."
Leigh Francis (pictured at the character) previously apologised (Notebook)
Leigh also told the singer to 'stop talking about it' to move on (Brett D. Cove / SplashNews.com)Craig revealed he wanted to "find escape", adding: "A lot of people didn't know but moving to Miami was a form of escape as 'I can't really walk down the road without this thing being on TV and following me around'.
"So I went to Miami to escape and it really was the healing that I needed and thankfully years went past..."
Comedian Leigh Francis, who uses the stage name Keith Lemon, had previously apologised after he was branded a "bully" and a "racist" by the Seven Days singer, but the words weren't accepted.
The singer claimed he thought Keith was "insincere" in his apology, but the comic told him to "stop talking about it" if he wants to move on from the past.
Rishi Sunak must suspend Dominic Raab during bullying inquiry says union chief