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08/12/2008
Carr Apologises for 'Insensitive' Matthews Remarks
Comedian Alan Carr has apologised for dedicating an award to Karen Matthews, who last week was found guilty of kidnapping her daughter Shannon.
Carr, at Saturday night's British Comedy Awards, called Matthews a "gay icon", adding: "People like a bit of rough don't they?"
Junior Justice Minister Shahid Malik condemned him as "sick and insensitive".
The comedian later said: "I realise what I said was insensitive and I am very sorry for any offence caused."
Mr Malik, who is also MP for Matthews' constituency of Dewsbury, said: "I think Alan Carr can be funny on occasion but I think last night he really let himself down.
"The timing couldn't be worse. I think most people e think it to be both sick and insensitive and people will be disgusted with him at a time when many people are looking very closely at the comic/comedian profession anyway."
He added: "This isn't a helpful contribution either to the sad case of Shannon Matthews, where we've only just got a conviction, and Michael Donovan and Karen Matthews haven't even been sentenced yet."
Last week, Matthews and Donovan were convicted of the kidnap of her nine-year-old daughter Shannon, who was imprisoned and drugged for 24 days in a plan to claim £50,000 reward money.
At the comedy awards, Carr told reporters backstage he originally planned his Celebrity Ding Dong sketch to feature Rough Woman not Fashionistas.
He said: "It didn't work out because they couldn't cast it. I suppose it is a bit difficult to find rough women. I suppose Shannon Matthew's mum was busy.
"Oh yeah, she would be my dream guest. I think she's a gay icon. People like a bit of rough don't they?"
Carr added: "I must be obsessed with her actually if you look at my Google searches. So I should dedicate this award to her."
(JM)
Carr, at Saturday night's British Comedy Awards, called Matthews a "gay icon", adding: "People like a bit of rough don't they?"
Junior Justice Minister Shahid Malik condemned him as "sick and insensitive".
The comedian later said: "I realise what I said was insensitive and I am very sorry for any offence caused."
Mr Malik, who is also MP for Matthews' constituency of Dewsbury, said: "I think Alan Carr can be funny on occasion but I think last night he really let himself down.
"The timing couldn't be worse. I think most people e think it to be both sick and insensitive and people will be disgusted with him at a time when many people are looking very closely at the comic/comedian profession anyway."
He added: "This isn't a helpful contribution either to the sad case of Shannon Matthews, where we've only just got a conviction, and Michael Donovan and Karen Matthews haven't even been sentenced yet."
Last week, Matthews and Donovan were convicted of the kidnap of her nine-year-old daughter Shannon, who was imprisoned and drugged for 24 days in a plan to claim £50,000 reward money.
At the comedy awards, Carr told reporters backstage he originally planned his Celebrity Ding Dong sketch to feature Rough Woman not Fashionistas.
He said: "It didn't work out because they couldn't cast it. I suppose it is a bit difficult to find rough women. I suppose Shannon Matthew's mum was busy.
"Oh yeah, she would be my dream guest. I think she's a gay icon. People like a bit of rough don't they?"
Carr added: "I must be obsessed with her actually if you look at my Google searches. So I should dedicate this award to her."
(JM)
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05 September 2008
Shannon's Mum Faces Fresh Charges
The mother of Shannon Matthews, the girl who went 'missing' for several weeks earlier this year, has been charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment. These new charges were revealed as Karen Matthews appeared at Leeds Crown Court.
Shannon's Mum Faces Fresh Charges
The mother of Shannon Matthews, the girl who went 'missing' for several weeks earlier this year, has been charged with her kidnap and false imprisonment. These new charges were revealed as Karen Matthews appeared at Leeds Crown Court.
12 March 2008
Mother Claims Shannon 'Was Abducted'
The mother of missing West Yorkshire schoolgirl Shannon Matthews has said that she fears that her daughter was abducted by someone she knows. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Karen Matthews said that she believed Shannon was abducted after she disappeared last month.
Mother Claims Shannon 'Was Abducted'
The mother of missing West Yorkshire schoolgirl Shannon Matthews has said that she fears that her daughter was abducted by someone she knows. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Karen Matthews said that she believed Shannon was abducted after she disappeared last month.
15 February 2007
Matthews says bird flu scare was not his fault
Bernard Matthews, whose poultry firm was at the heart of the recent bird flu outbreak in Britain, has apologised for the scare, but insisted it was not his fault.
Matthews says bird flu scare was not his fault
Bernard Matthews, whose poultry firm was at the heart of the recent bird flu outbreak in Britain, has apologised for the scare, but insisted it was not his fault.
23 January 2009
Karen Matthews Jailed Over Shannon Kidnap
The mother of an eight-year-old girl, who was kidnapped in a plot to claim reward money, has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Karen Matthews, 33, and her co-accused, 40, were earlier found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the court of justice. Donovan, her former partner's uncle, was also jailed for eight years.
Karen Matthews Jailed Over Shannon Kidnap
The mother of an eight-year-old girl, who was kidnapped in a plot to claim reward money, has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Karen Matthews, 33, and her co-accused, 40, were earlier found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the court of justice. Donovan, her former partner's uncle, was also jailed for eight years.
03 April 2008
Child Porn Charges For Shannon's Stepdad
The stepfather of Shannon Matthews has appeared in court charged with child pornography offences. Craig Meehan, 22, from Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, was arrested at the family home on Wednesday. He was charged with ten counts of possessing indecent images of children and appeared before Dewsbury Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Child Porn Charges For Shannon's Stepdad
The stepfather of Shannon Matthews has appeared in court charged with child pornography offences. Craig Meehan, 22, from Dewsbury Moor, West Yorkshire, was arrested at the family home on Wednesday. He was charged with ten counts of possessing indecent images of children and appeared before Dewsbury Magistrates Court on Thursday.
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