Adil Ray should know better – let’s not start fat shaming men like Luke Littler in the way women have for years
AGED 17, Luke Littler is still a child – one who vapes, plays Xbox, eats kebabs and sleeps in Father Christmas bedsheets.
He left school with a solitary GCSE, and is yet to pass his driving test.
So far, so Everyman (well, boy). Except the teenage superstar is already a household name after becoming darts’ youngest ever world champion . . . and has just been fat-shamed on national television.
That stuff sticks.
Adil Ray, one of Good Morning Britain’s wokest presenters, was last week accused of fat-shaming Luke after saying “he’s turning into the look of a darts player”.
Seething viewers expressed their horror, some threatening to call Ofcom after the comedian then cited Luke’s love of pizzas and computer games.
Adil started his monologue by saying: “I have to say — and this might not be very popular — I’m a little worried about Luke.”
Now, a little word of warning for all broadcasters: If you have to start a sentence with the words “this might not be very popular”, it won’t be.
And so it proved.
There were calls for Adil to make a public apology.
You don’t mess with a national treasure and you certainly don’t mess with a child.
Imagine the outrage if Adil had made these comments about a girl? He’d be off air quicker than you can say “bullseye”.
When I was 16, and playing lacrosse, an England coach turned around and loudly said, in front of everyone watching, “Clemmie’s stout, isn’t she?”
Stout! That night (having been dropped from the squad) I monstered a six-pack of Galaxy Caramels, and hated myself even more.
My relationship with food has probably been a little warped ever since.
Certain words, as Adil knows all too well, hurt.
He, after all, has spoken powerfully about the disgusting racist abuse he has previously received.
The broadcaster’s booking agency website states: “Adil Ray is revered for his passions in diversity and inclusion.
Luke comes across as a brilliantly down-to-earth, hard-working, kind and talented young man
Clemmie Moodie
“Adil has regularly highlighted . . . the importance of acceptance.”
Suggesting Luke has the “look of a darts player” doesn’t really seem all that accepting.
The scrutiny on this youngster is unprecedented, and has been since he first strutted on to the global stage just over a year ago, to chants of: “You’ve got school in the morning!”
Reminiscent of the spotlight Wayne Rooney was under at the same age, the glare on Luke is even more intense.
Perhaps it’s because he’s already transcending the world of darts, with fans including David Beckham and Sir Keir Starmer.
Unlike tribal football, darts — with this Warrington-born lad as poster boy — has united the country.
In defence of Adil, he is famously cynical about political correctness.
Famously cynical
His Royal Television Society-nominated series Is It Cos I Is Black? was genuinely brilliant, and poked fun at those too scared to state the obvious in case they cause offence.
But the response to his GMB comments perfectly illustrate all that he rails against.
As one commentator noted: “Adil Ray didn’t fat-shame Luke Littler, he simply raised his concerns about his unhealthy diet. People need to toughen up a bit.”
Luke comes across as a brilliantly down-to-earth, hard-working, kind and talented young man.
He probably couldn’t give a toss what anyone thinks because, quite frankly, he has achieved more than the majority of us could dream of.
But for decades, female stars have been judged, criticised and body-shamed, their performances overshadowed by their appearance.
Let’s not do this to blokes, too.
Traitors’ Freddie is vest in show
ONCE again, the new series of The Traitors is spot on.
Brilliant casting, high production values and an exemplary host in Claudia Winkleman.
I’m also particularly enjoying producers shamelessly exploiting 20-year-old hunk Freddie.
After fans went wild for the good-looking hopeful – who wants to become Prime Minister one day – bosses showed him gratuitously showering from the waist up.
This was followed by a clip of Freddie needlessly, and inexplicably, doing a few sit-ups in a white vest.
“Freddie in the shower? This is why I pay my TV licence!”, observed one thirsty viewer.
Clearly the Traitors’ cameramen and women are having an absolute field day.
Corso dogs a worry
WHAT is wrong with human beings?
After the XL bully ban came into play last February, there’s a new “status dog” emerging.
The cane corso, described as an XL bully on steroids, can weigh up to 50kg and is descended from the Molossian war dogs of Ancient Rome.
Unlike bullies, which must now have exemption certificates and be muzzled in public, to date there are no restrictions on these beasts.
Of course, 99.9 per cent of these dogs will be gentle, loving creatures if bred, trained and cared for properly.
Alas, it’s not the dogs who are the problem here, but the sick, pathetic, fragile-ego owners.
Last month, Love Island’s Jack Fincham was charged with allowing his out-of-control cane corso, Elvis, to bite a man.
I fear this is tip-of-the iceberg stuff.
The Government needs to take pre-emptive action now, before it’s too late.
Nikki is no Ricky
IN this column, written a day after the Golden Globes, I’d usually be talking about the Golden Globes.
Maybe slamming Hollywood for being too woke, too hypocritical or too Ozempic’d.
But honestly, without Ricky Gervais at the helm, frankly there’s nothing much to write.
While replacement host Nikki Glaser did her best, and was absolutely fine, she is no Ricky.
The day before the underwhelming ceremony, Ricky teased a few gags he’d have said.
One included: “Justin Timberlake was convicted of drink driving. If he’d gone to jail, he’d have heard the words ‘Sexy Back’ a lot more often.”
And thus begins my campaign to bring Ricky Gervais back to Hollywood.
Wayne class
HE gets a lot of stick, but Wayne Rooney has just proven himself a class act, and a true football man.
The ex-England striker agreed to leave Plymouth Argyle by “mutual consent”, effectively meaning he wasn’t entitled to the £1million payout he’d have been entitled to had he been sacked.
Decent.
You know it makes scents
COST-CUTTING hack of the week.
Those who like their candles scented, or indeed just like their candles, can nip along to Robert Dyas for their lime, basil and mandarin waxy treat.
The £4.69 number smells, to my unsophisticated nostrils, identical to Jo Malone’s over-hyped version which comes in at £56 and is beloved of celebrities, and the Cotswolds set, everywhere.
You’re welcome.
WELL played, Tranmere Rovers.
Or rather, well played Tranmere Rovers’ head of PR.
On Sunday, Roy Keane took down Trent Alexander-Arnold, a man perhaps getting a little bit big for his Adidases – suggesting he was more of a fit for the League Two side than La Liga.
The pundit said: “We talk about him going to Real Madrid . . . the way he’s defending, he’s going to Tranmere Rovers.”
To which Rovers’ comms man/woman replied on X: “Trent to Tranmere, Roy? Nah, we’re alright thanks.”
Tranmere Rovers 1, Trent Alexander-Arnold 0.
2025 – what a fresh, exciting, cutesy time for British politics!
With Reform chief Nigel Farage falling out with the world’s wealthiest man, Elon Musk, the owner of X is now threatening to champion Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, after re-posting an article by her.
As one unnamed shadow minister sweetly observed: “This is a big moment . . . it’s like Hitler turning on Stalin and invading Russia.”
Aw, Adolf and Joseph – what benchmarks!