Carol Vorderman leads outrage as ITV’s Benidorm broadcasts ‘offensive’ cleft lip joke
CAROL VORDERMAN has thrown her support behind an open letter to ITV about a “highly offensive” comment which aired during an episode of Benidorm.
Carol Vorderman Benidorm ITV cleft lip Ofcom complaints
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Ofcom has received almost 120 complaints regarding the joke about people with cleft lip and palate, which the Countdown legend’s brother Anton was born with.
The comedy sparked outrage when Joyce Temple-Savage (played by Sherrie Hewson) described singer Danny Tetley - who appeared to have the condition - as having “the voice of a 13-year-old girl and a face like a dropped pie”.
It was heard during the final episode of the ninth series on May 9 and the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) has since voiced their anger.
An Ofcom spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “We have received 118 complaints about this episode of Benidorm.”
Carol Vorderman has spoken out against ITV's Benidorm
Carol Vorderman voiced her concern after a cleft lip joke was made
I have witnessed abuse of those with cleft
They continued: “We will assess these complaints before deciding whether or not to investigate.”
Carol went on to tweet a link to the letter, telling her 378,000 Twitter followers: “I am patron of CLAPA. My brother Anton was born with a severe cleft lip and palate.
“I have witnessed abuse of those with cleft. Therefore, I wholeheartedly endorse this open letter to @itv.”
It stated that the the organisation were “extremely disappointed” on hearing the “ignorant and highly offensive comment”.
Carol Vorderman's brother was born with the condition
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Sherrie Hweson's character made the remark about singer Danny Tetley
They said that people with the condition deserved “better than this” before calling on the broadcaster and producers to apologise for the remark.
Meanwhile, Danny, who played himself in Benidorm, has retweeted posts urging fans to concentrate on his signing instead.
Express.co.uk has contacted a representative for Benidorm asking for comment