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Chris Evans - "You give an African 2 pounds a month and what do they do? Buy a bloody trumpet."


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Chris Evans apologises after tweeting 'offensive' African joke about price of vuvuzelas

Radio DJ Chris Evans apologised today after making a distasteful World Cup joke about Africans on Twitter.

The Radio2 host was accused of being 'offensive' and 'politically incorrect' after re-posting a gag that was doing the rounds on the social networking site.

He told his 84,000 followers: 'You give an African 2 pounds a month and what do they do? Buy a bloody trumpet.'

The comment was supposed to be a dig at vuvuzelas, whose hums have plagued stadiums in South Africa and angered football fans during the World Cup.

Many viewers believe the incessant din created by the horns is ruining the atmosphere during games by drowning out the sound of fans.

The vuvuzelas can be bought for around £2.50 outside the stadiums in South Africa - and there have been thousands of complaints to FIFA, the rulling body, which is refusing to ban them.

But within minutes many of his followers questioned the Ferrari collector's judgement.

An aid charity, which asks people to donate money to impoverished children in Africa, was also quick to criticise the millionaire for his comments.

Writing on Twitter in response to Evans comment, Amysmallperson wrote: 'That's really quite offensive.' iPilates wrote: 'Not very politically correct that one. A bit Bernard Manning.' and Shonashusband wrote: 'Certainly bad taste.' PeterHeslop said: 'Did you re-tweet this to highlight xenophobia or capitalist exploitation?'

Evans, 44, removed the tweet from his page and apologised for causing offence - saying he had not read it properly before 're-tweeting'.

He wrote: 'Apologies for last re tweet didn't read it properly. Never meant to offend. Not funny at all.'

A couple of minutes later he added: 'Sticking with my not funny verdict.'

Chris Lawrence chairman of Facing Africa, which raises money to send doctors to Africa to help children in poverty, said Evan's comments were 'extremely damaging'.

He said: 'When someone like Chris Evans makes comments like this it can be hugely damaging and it has got many people's backs up.

'People who have been donating to Africa for many years may think their donations are worthless or that they are being used by Africans for frivolous things like the vuvus.

'I would advise him to be a lot more thoughtful in future, these words are very hurtful and perpetuate a negative image which is very unhelpful for our work.

'It can affect how much people want to donate to us. I can assure Chris Evans the money we raise goes into providing surgeons for hospitals and he is more than welcome to come and see the work we do.'

Mark241 praised Evans for apologising, writing: 'Thank goodness for that. Was beginning to think I was the only one who considered it to be less than appropriate. Good call.' 

Mikelinny agreed and wrote: 'It wasn't funny. It's good of you to realise and admit your mistake, rather than try and stupidly defend it as others might.'

Andydye46 wrote: 'Not funny agreed but you still got detention and lines to do.' Other Twitter users said Evans had given into political correctness and did not need to apologise.

Guyharrington wrote: 'It was hilarious, sod what other people think. They can unfollow if they don't want your opinion!'

Evans had written about vuvuzelas on Twitter less than 24 hours earlier when he told how his wife, Natasha Shishmanian, had woken him by playing the horn app on her iPhone.

He wrote: 'Tash just downloaded vuvuzela app on to her iPhone and is now playing it down my ear whilst I am trying to sleep. Hilarious...'

The free Vuvuzela 2010 app has become a surprise smash on the iTunes chart and currently holds the top spot in free downloads.

So far more than 750,000 people have downloaded the app and there are at least 10 other similar apps on iTunes.

The horns, which have been likened to sounding like a wasp's nest, have been the cause of much controversy at the South African World Cup.

They were set to be banned from the tournament after broadcasters complained to Fifa about the noise.

However, Fifa has said the vuvuzela will not be banned from the tournament.

They are said to be based on kudu horn instruments from Africa.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1286997/DJ-Chris-Evans-apologises-Tweeting-bad-taste-African-joke.html

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