Latest news with #VicarofDibley
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Dawn French apologises after 'mocking tone' in Gaza video sparks fury
The Vicar of Dibley actress has issued a statement after sparking backlash with a video about Gaza Dawn French has apologised after posting a video online about the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Vicar of Dibley actress said she "clumsily used a mocking tone" in the video shared on social media this week that "appeared one-sided". The comedian shared a video about the conflict online where she used a baby-like voice to discuss the ongoing devastation in the Middle East and the justifications used by people supporting Israel's campaign in Gaza. The video has sparked backlash online after getting 4.7million views, with the actress being accused of mocking victims. In the video, she said: "Complicated, no, but nuanced," adding: "Bottom line is, no." Continuing in a higher pitched voice, the 67-year-old said: "Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us." On Saturday (June 7), Dawn, who wrote and starred in the BBC sketch comedy series French and Saunders with her best friend and comedy partner Jennifer Saunders, posted a statement on X saying she has taken down the video. She expressed her apologies, saying her intention was never "to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened" on October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed some 1,200 people at a music festival in Israel. "Ok, it's important to address this," French wrote. "I posted a video in the style I've been using for social media in an effort to convey an important point. I clumsily used a mocking tone. "My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on 7 October 2023 and what continues to unfold from that brutal unthinkable, unforgivable, savage attack. "My heart broke for the many innocent people and their families that were killed, tortured, raped and kidnapped. The fact that hostages are still held is utterly appalling. "My intention was to mock and point the finger of shame at the behaviour of the cruel leaders on ALL sides of this atrocious war, who have continued to behave like the worst, dangerous, sickening bullies and seem to relish the tyrannical and childish one-upmanship of the violence. "THEY were my target, but clearly I failed to do that, and that's on me. I apologise unreservedly. "I'm particularly sorry that my disgust at Hamas didn't figure. It appeared one-sided, and that is wrong." She went on: "I am a person, who like many others, is feeling increasingly helpless and hopeless as we witness the carnage and destruction worsen. The images of starving and wounded children have haunted me day and night. "History has taught us never to stand by and allow this kind of inhumane violence to be wrought on anyone, especially innocent children. "I have felt my silence is complicit or even somehow sanctioning. So in my small way I wanted to voice my desire to say NO – to BOTH sides – to any further violence. "I hope you will understand my intention was not to offend, but clearly I have. For which I'm sorry and I have removed the video." At least 54,607 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza and more than 125,000 have been injured between October 7, 2023 and June 4, 2025, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Dawn French apologises for video about Israel-Hamas conflict
Comedian Dawn French has apologised after posting a video online about the Israel-Hamas conflict, saying she "clumsily used a mocking tone" and it "appeared one-sided". The Vicar of Dibley star posted a video on social media this week in which she switched between her normal voice and a higher-pitched voice. In the video about the conflict, she said: "Complicated, no, but nuanced", adding: "Bottom line is, no." Then at one point she said in a higher-pitched voice: "Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us." French has now posted a statement on X saying she has taken down the video and apologised, saying her intention was never "to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened" during Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. The statement, posted on Saturday, said: "Ok, it's important to address this. "I posted a video in the style I've been using for social media in an effort to convey an important point. I clumsily used a mocking tone. "My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on 7 October 2023 and what continues to unfold from that brutal unthinkable, unforgivable, savage attack. "My heart broke for the many innocent people and their families that were killed, tortured, r@ped (sic) and kidnapped. The fact that hostages are still held is utterly appalling. "My intention was to mock and point the finger of shame at the behaviour of the cruel leaders on ALL sides of this atrocious war, who have continued to behave like the worst, dangerous, sickening bullies and seem to relish the tyrannical and childish oneupmanship of the violence. THEY were my target, but clearly I failed to do that, and that's on me. I apologise unreservedly. I'm particularly sorry that my disgust at Hamas didn't figure. It appeared one-sided, and that is wrong. "I am a person, who like many others, is feeling increasingly helpless and hopeless as we witness the carnage and destruction worsen. The images of starving and wounded children have haunted me day and night. History has taught us never to stand by and allow this kind of inhumane violence to be wrought on anyone, especially innocent children. "I have felt my silence is complicit or even somehow sanctioning. So in my small way I wanted to voice my desire to say NO - to BOTH sides - to any further violence. "I hope you will understand my intention was not to offend, but clearly I have. For which I'm sorry and I have removed the video." Of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas's attack that triggered the Gaza war, 55 remain in captivity, including 31 the Israeli military says are dead. The 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to AFP calculations of official figures. According to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, at least 54,677 people have been killed in the territory since the start of the war, also mostly civilians.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Dawn French leads tributes to 'tip top' BBC colleague in moving post
Alan Yentob, the former director of television and BBC presenter, died earlier this week - and now Vicar of Dibley star Dawn French has paid tribute to the BBC icon Dawn French has honoured her friend and former colleague Alan Yentob with a touching tribute following his death at the age of 78. The beloved BBC presenter and ex-director of television passed away, leaving behind his wife Philippa Walker and their children. Philippa's heartfelt statement read: "For [our children] Jacob, Bella and I every day with Alan held the promise of something unexpected. Our life was exciting, he was exciting. He was curious, funny, annoying, late and creative in every cell of his body. But more than that, he was the kindest of men and a profoundly moral man. He leaves in his wake a trail of love a mile wide." As the entertainment world mourns, Dawn French, famed for her role in The Vicar of Dibley, posted a touching photo on X - formerly known as Twitter - with Alan and Jennifer Saunders. the Express. Alan's illustrious career with the BBC began in 1968 as a trainee, leading to numerous high-profile positions. He was instrumental in launching children's channels CBBC and CBeebies, as well as popular shows like Absolutely Fabulous, Have I Got News For You, and the iconic Pride and Prejudice adaptation. John Simpson, host of Unspun World, joined the chorus of tributes, expressing his sorrow: "Very sad to hear that my good friend Alan Yentob has died. He was such good company, and a wonderful interviewer and documentary-maker. I shall miss him greatly." BBC Director-General Tim Davie paid a heartfelt tribute to Alan, labelling him a "towering figure" in the world of broadcasting. As excitement about Alan's illustrious career bubbles over, Davie called him "a creative force and a cultural visionary". In his own words: "He shaped decades of programming at the BBC and beyond, with a passion for storytelling and public service that leaves a lasting legacy." Davie warmly remembered Alan as more than just an innovative creator; he recounted, "But Alan was more than a pioneering creative - he was an unforgettable presence. Engaging, witty and endlessly curious, he brought energy and warmth to every conversation. He was generous with his time, fierce in his convictions, and full of joy in the work of others." Adding to the accolades, Davie emphasised how working alongside Alan could elevate one's vision and ambition: "To work with Alan was to be inspired and encouraged to think bigger. He had a rare gift for identifying talent and lifting others up - a mentor and champion to so many across the worlds of television, film and theatre." Tim Davie concluded the homage to the beloved figure by saying, "Above all, Alan was a true original. His passion wasn't performative - it was personal. He believed in the power of culture to enrich, challenge and connect us."
