
Danny Baker, one of the biggest names on British radio, has been fired by the BBC after posting a tweet containing images of a monkey in reference to the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son, Archie.
The tweet, which was posted on Wednesday and which has since been deleted, immediately drew complaints across the social media platform and Baker apologised for it. However, on Thursday morning he said he had been fired from his role at 5 Live. The BBC confirmed shortly afterwards that his contract had been terminated.
The message which led to the row showed an image of a couple holding hands with a chimpanzee dressed in clothes with the words ”Royal Baby leaves hospital”. It was immediately criticised as a reference to the Duchess of Sussex’s mixed race heritage.
Danny Baker said that had never been his intention, writing ”Was supposed to be joke about Royals vs circus animals in posh clothes but interpreted as about monkeys & race, so rightly deleted.” He added ”Sincere apologies for the stupid unthinking gag pic earlier.”
The BBC described the tweet as a serious error of judgement and said that the message ‘‘goes against the values we as a station aim to embody”. It added that “Danny’s a brilliant broadcaster but will no longer be presenting a weekly show with us.”
Danny Baker had presented a weekend show with 5 Live. He has been a household name in the UK for three decades, as a TV and radio presenter as well as a writer, performer and football expert.