13 February 2023 , 22:06
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Ant Payne has issued a grovelling apology after coming under fire for telling Capital FM listeners to book "cheap flights" to Turkey after a disastrous earthquake rocked the country and Syria.
The DJ, who presents the drivetime programme on the national station, tweeted an apology this morning after his comments sparked outrage online.
He wrote: "Hi guys, I want to address the comment I made last night on the show. It was insensitive and ill timed. I would never wish to offend anyone from my shows. My sincere and wholehearted apologies."
Ant sparked outrage after he told his listeners that should they head overseas, they would come back looking years younger and could even make an appearance on Love Island due to the cheap cosmetic surgery on offer in Turkey.
The show which broadcasts from Global's head office in London's Leicester Square is listened to by millions of people each afternoon.
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Capital FM presenter Ant Payne has apologised for comments over the Turkey and Syria earthquake (GLOBAL)Addressing the listeners, Ant said: "I think now actually is the best time to start looking at some cheap flights to Turkey over the next few years.
"You can get your teeth done while you're over there.
"You can come back looking 19 years, you'll be on Love Island next year if you do it!"
However, his comments have sparked a major backlash, with one listener tweeting: "@CapitalOfficial are you seriously going to allow this shameful and heartless employer of yours Ant Payne to make jokes at the expense people, children who died in the #TurkeyEarthquake?!! Disgusting piece of S**t!!!"
Ant suggested listeners could book cheap flights to Turkey for a makeover (Twitter)
Ant has been branded "insensitive" by social media users (Twitter)"This is f***ing volatile. Imagine. God forbid we ever have to lose our loved ones in such a devastating way but you're good cause you can get some new veneers. I honestly can't fathom how he said this with such vim. Laughing about it #capitalFM," fumed a second.
While a third went on to write: "@CapitalOfficial Ant Payne needs removing after his insensitive vile comment, how shameful. Prayers for Turkey."
"Over 35,000 are dead. A country in mourning. Thousands of people trying to raise money for those affected and this is what @CapitalOfficial says about it. I am in shock and disgusted…" penned a fourth.
The United Nations believes the disaster could take the lives of up to 50,000 people across Turkey and Syria (dia images via Getty Images)While Liberal Democrat town and district councillor Suzanne Nuri-Nixon penned: "Wow @CapitalOfficial, just wow! Read the room Ant Payne, thousands have died, thousands are in mourning and you crack a 'joke'?! Man, did you misread the room!"
Last week, an earthquake struck Turkey and Syria causing mass devastation as well as a huge chasm in the earth's crust.
It's estimated that the quake which measured at least 7.8 on the Richter scale has claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people with people still being pulled from the debris.
Capital FM bosses read Ant 'the riot act' after vile Turkey earthquake joke
Meanwhile, a United Nations chief has warned that the death toll could reach an unimaginable 50,000 due to the sheer number of people being trapped in the freezing cold.
The World Health Organisation predicts that around 26 million people have been affected by the disaster which first struck on February 6 before a further 2,109 aftershocks were felt.
The Mirror approached Global for comment.