15 February 2023 , 11:47
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Capital FM have been hit by a huge amount of complaints to Ofcom after their DJ Ant Payne made a sick joke about the Turkey earthquake.
Ant sparked fury after he made the remark while hosting his drivetime show on the radio station earlier this week.
The comment was about booking "cheap flights" to Turkey after the country and neighbouring Syria were hit by two earthquakes.
The twin earthquakes have seen 35,000 die in the tragedy.
Now, the Ofcom weekly report reveals Ant's show received 567 complaints from upset listeners.
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Ant Payne's joke has received 567 Ofcom complaints (Twitter)Ant sparked outrage after he told his listeners on his drivetime show 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 broadcasts from Global's head office in London's Leicester Square.
In the comment which caused huge upset, 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!"
He later apologised for the joke, after reportedly being read the riot act by the radio show's bosses.
Ant tweeted: "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."
The DJ's comments sparked anger on Twitter as listeners slammed the DJ.
One wrote: "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…"
Ant Payne received huge backlash online (PA)"During this time of devastation the Turkish community in the UK is in a state of deep mourning To hear a prominent DJ Ant Payne of @CapitalFM make light of the current hardships our people are facing is completely unacceptable and inhumane! #PayneOffAir," another urged.
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And a third wrote: "@CapitalOfficial Ant Payne deserves to be sacked for his insensitive comments!! Absolutely disgusted this disrespect for thousands of people was allowed to happen! #antpayne #capitalfm".
Meanwhile, it has been reported the DJ was "read the riot act" by bosses after the shocking on-air comment.
A source told The Sun: "Ant is keeping his job but Global made it crystal clear the comments were far from acceptable.
"Not only do they make him personally look unsavoury but it also pulls into question the judge of character of the whole station.
"The fact Ant initially tried to deny he even said it also got people's backs up."
Ant was told to "unlock his Twitter account" and "issue a public apology" following the uproar, the source claimed.