Nick Grimshaw has been forced to take back an “unacceptable” joke he made about throwing acid over his ‘X Factor’ boss Simon Cowell.
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The talent show judge was asked about throwing water over the music mogul, much like former judge Sharon Osbourne had done to his predecessor Louis Walsh, to which he replied: “That is always a classic... or acid.”
Nick Grimshaw
The comments will not have sat well with Simon, who is an ambassador for Katie Piper’s charity.
The TV presenter suffered horrific burns when an ex-boyfriend threw sulphuric acid in her face in 2008.
Simon is now close friends with the star, who set up the Katie Piper Foundation to help people living with burns and scars.
Simon Cowell with friend Katie Piper
After making the comments in a TV interview, Nick has now expressed his regret for the jibe.
A spokesperson for the star told The Mirror: “Nick’s comment about Simon was an off-the-cuff remark and in hindsight he fully appreciates that it was unacceptable.”
Earlier this week, the Radio 1 Breakfast Show DJ admitted he “understands” why people “hate him”.
He faced a backlash from fans of the show when he replaced Louis on the panel earlier this week.
Of the controversy, he told Alan Carr on ‘Chatty Man’: “I knew I’d get the scrutiny as Louis Walsh is so loved.
“You’ve got to ignore it. My dad hates the Rolling Stones, so why can’t millions hate me?”
Nick is mentoring the Boys on the ITV talent show, having picked Mason Noise, Che Chesterman and Seann Miley Moore for the live shows.
‘The X Factor’ continues tonight (31 October) at 8pm on ITV.