Alan Davies faces backlash over Hillsborough comments

Words: Caroline Foran

Two things you don't usually in the same sentence: Alan Davies and 'controversy'. Turns out the generally nice, mostly inoffensive floppy haired one off QI has landed himself in a spot of bother: another week another comedian landing themselves in the sh*tter, eh?

Now this might go over some people's heads (perhaps mine if I didn't write about comedy for a living) but those of you into yer footy - namely Liverpool FC supporters - should find it somewhat engaging. As per Chortle, Alan Davies is facing all manner of negative responses – including death threats – after openly criticising the insistence of Liverpool FC never to play on the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, known as the deadliest stadium disaster of all time in which 96 football supporters were killed due, as reports indicate, to the failure of police control. 

As a footy fan himself - did you know he did a regular football podcast? News to me too - the Jonathan Creek star should probably have thought about the consequences before complaining mid podcast about the fact that not playing on that date particular date would have a knock on effect on fixtures which means that Chelsea must play two crunch matches in three days.

"Liverpool and the 15th - that gets on my tits, that shit. What are you talking about "We won't play on the day"? Why can't they?"

To which fellow comic Ian Stone aptly responded: "Because it's too sad a memory."

You'd think that'd trigger some kind of warning from Davies but, eh, no:

"My mum died on August 22. I don’t stay in all day on August 22. Do they play on the date of the Heysel Stadium disaster? How many dates do they not play on? Do Man United play on the date of Munich? Do Rangers play on the date when all their fans died in that disaster whatever year that was - 1971?"

Oh Alan, you twat.

Bet he ate his words once these tweets came through though (warning: that awful see you next Tuesday word applies) : Keiran Humphries tweeted: "Go kill yourself you horrible c&nt, disrespecting people who lost their lives, come to Liverpool so you get what you deserve." While Andrew Margrie said: "Stay out of Liverpool you c*nt Davies. God I'd love to be there when you get what you deserve. Sleep with one eye open you c*nt."

Then as expected, after what I can only imagine followed after a good crisis management whipping a la Alastair Campbell, Davies made a prompt Twitter apology:

"'I'm getting tweets from Liverpool fans who have been given the impression that I was disrespectful to those who lost their lives on 15/4/89... Many disagree but I feel that the Liverpool v Everton semi-final could be played on Apr 15. Apologies to those upset by that suggestion... I said the Hillsborough disaster was the worst event in modern peacetime history. I was on a terrace listening to a radio as it happened." 

He further added: "I have not apologised for "PR purposes" [ya, sure]. I took the wrong tone. It's an unscripted podcast..."

An unscripted podcast that you share with many a discerning and football oriented listener, mind. 

Should people have free reign to say what they feel in a podcast which goes 'unscripted' or, as a loose form of broadcast, must they apply the same level of social responsibility and consideration? Share your thoughts below.
 

Story by EI Team | 09:00 | Wednesday 11th April 2012 | Comedy

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