Yahoo Movies Dancing on Ice's Rufus Hound responds to backlash over controversial tweets
Dancing on Ice star Rufus Hound has responded to a backlash over his historical tweets.
The comedian was among the first skaters to take to the ice in the show's 2021 premiere, securing the first Golden Ticket and responding with: "We live in a world where people we elect don't want to feed hungry children; this is the least mad thing that has happened to me in a long time."
Having been forced to self-isolate after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, Rufus did not appear in the second episode but has since been criticised for the resurfacing of his tweets about the Manchester Arena bombing and other racially-insensitive and sexist social media remarks.
Posting to Twitter on Monday (January 25), Rufus reiterated his regret over the Manchester Arena comments and 'apologised again' for his "stupid and unthinking" tweets.
Related: Dancing on Ice viewers complain Faye Brookes was "robbed" in week 2 Golden Ticket decision
"It was a stupid thing to say – and hurtful to families, a fandom and a city in grief," he wrote. I wasn't quite in my right mind and apologised soon after."
He also said: "These tweets were from a long time ago and I have absolutely apologised for them. The worst part of this is that the people who my tweets hurt most are being dragged through it all over again."
"I never thought [the bombing] was [comedy material], he added. "[I] never mocked the victims or their families. But by tweeting what I did when I did, I made things worse for them. It was stupid and unthinking. I had been at a funeral for the previous three days and my barometer... of what was appropriate was absolutely shot. No excuse. I should have known better, but in the moment, failed.
"I apologised at the time and apologise again to anyone having their pain refreshed."
Related: Dancing on Ice judge Ashley Banjo defends Rufus Hound after Ofcom complaints
Rufus' apology follows Dancing on Ice judge Ashley Banjo defending him over the "hungry children" comments following Ofcom complaints.
They also follow Rufus previously responding to criticism of him 'making the show political'.
He tweeted: "To the people who want to be cross with me – you were never going to be my friend. I wish it were different, but such is the world we now live in. To everyone else, thanks for all your lovely messages."
Dancing on Ice continues next Sunday (January 31) on ITV.
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