Trisha Goddard has revealed she spoke to comedian Leigh Francis about his portrayal of Black characters on the sketch show Bo’ Selecta before his apology video last week.
The talk show legend – who was one of many celebrities parodied on Bo’ Selecta – said she felt compelled to address Leigh’s past work, after seeing the comedian’s post in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Speaking to The Sun, Trisha said she told Leigh: “[Bo’ Selecta] emboldened a lot of casual racism towards myself and others you parodied with big lips and noses.
“It would be a very powerful gesture for you to recognise what part you played in perpetuating blackface.”
Trisha also said that the impressions, which saw Leigh donning rubber masks to impersonate celebrities, left her feeling “hurt, distaste and disgust”, and that her children were bullied due to the show.
She said she received a personal apology from Leigh – who is now best known for his Keith Lemon character – before he shared his public video.
In his video, posted last week, he said: “Back in 2002 I did a show called Bo’ Selecta, I portrayed many Black people. Back then I didn’t think anything about it, people didn’t say anything, I’m not going to blame other people.
“Been talking to some people, I didn’t realise how offensive it was back then.
“I just want to apologise, I just want to say sorry for any upset I caused whether I was Michael Jackson, Craig David, Trisha Goddard, all people I’m a big fan of. I guess we’re all on a learning journey.”