15 June 2020

Trisha Goddard tells of receiving ‘even more abuse’ since Bo’ Selecta! star Leigh Francis apologised for wearing blackface to impersonate her

TV presenter Trisha Goddard has revealed she has been the victim of ‘even more abuse’ since Bo’ Selecta! star Leigh Francis apologised to her for wearing blackface to impersonate her.

Francis depicted a number of black celebrities during his time on the show between 2002 and 2009 such as Goddard, Craig David and Michael Jackson.

Leigh Francis dressed in blackface back in 2003 (Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)

And while Goddard appreciated Francis telling her he is sorry for his actions, she says it has only made the negative comments towards her increase.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, she said: "I don't mind people joking about me, but it was the big lips the big nose of the character, and a lot of people said 'why didn't you say anything then', assuming I didn't.

"The other thing is people are saying 'lighten up it's a joke' but if he portrayed Vanessa Feltz, a proud Jewish presenter, with a big nose, or Gok Wan working in a Chinese takeaway, they are all abhorrent, and I didn't realise until very recently how badly bullied my children were.

"Since Leigh made that apology I have been subjected to even more abuse."

"(People are saying) You've ruined his career just because you can't take a joke, and there have been threats."

"Leigh sweetly talked to my daughter Billie for a very long time about his experience, he was horrified what she went through, he said as a father he feels so bad about this."

Goddard’s comments come after Francis issued a public apology to her and other black celebrities he portrayed during the show.

He said: "I didn’t realise how offensive it was.

"I just want to say sorry for any upset I caused whether I was Michael Jackson, Craig David, Trisha Goddard."

The best videos delivered daily

Watch the stories that matter, right from your inbox