Lee Mack’s new Sky History show The Chop has been suspended after a contestant appeared with “tattoos” on his face in a preview trailer for the series which viewers thought could reference the nazis. This claim has been strongly denied by the contestant.
Sky History last night announced no episodes would be broadcast after viewers claimed they had spotted neo-Nazi inkings on Darren Lumsden’s face.
The claim has been strongly denied by Darren who insists the tattoos refer to significant events in his life and not the nazis.
Viewers also spotted ‘Homegrown’ above his top lip and said he appeared to have 23 and 16 on his temples.
These numbers are often used to signify the letters W and P, the initials of White Power.
Darren says the tattoos refer to significant events in his life (Image: @HISTORYUK/Twitter)
A spokesperson for Sky earlier told The Sun Online: “Darren’s tattoos denote significant events in his life and have no political or ideological meaning whatsoever..
The channel said that the meaning of the inkings, including a large ’88’, would be investigated.
Among those to claim they spotted neo-Nazi inkings on Darren’s face include comedian Katherine Ryan.
Sky History said in a statement posted on Twitter: “While we further investigate the nature, and meaning, of Darren’s tattoos, we have removed the video featuring him from our social media pages.
“We will not be broadcasting any episodes of The Chop: Britain’s Top Woodworker until we have concluded that investigation.
They added that “Sky History stands against racism and hate speech of all kinds”.
The channel said that the meaning of the inkings, including a large ’88’, would be investigated (Image: @HISTORYUK/Twitter)
The number 88 which appears on Darren’s cheek could be a reference to white supremacist code for “Heil Hitler”, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) claims .
According to the ADL the number 88 is among the most common of white supremacist symbols.
On its website it explains: “H is the eighth letter of the alphabet, so 88 = HH = Heil Hitler.”
When questioned about his tattoos, Darren said 1988 is the year of his father’s death – and insisted he does not have Nazi tattoos.
Viewers also spotted ‘Homegrown’ above his top lip and said he appeared to have 23 and 16 on his temples.
Darren speaking to Lee Mack in the clip (Image: @HISTORYUK/Twitter)
These numbers are often used to signify the letters W and P, the initials of White Power.
A spokesperson for Sky earlier told The Sun Online: “Darren’s tattoos denote significant events in his life and have no political or ideological meaning whatsoever.
“Amongst the various numerical tattoos on his body, 1988 is the year of his father’s death.”
The spokesperson said amongst the various numerical tattoos on his body, “1988 is the year of Darrens father’s death”.
They went on to say the “production team carried out extensive background checks on all the woodworkers taking part in the show” – adding “Darren has no affiliations or links to racist groups, views or comments”.
They added: “Sky History is intolerant of racism and all forms of hatred and any use of symbols or numbers is entirely incidental and not meant to cause harm or offence.”
Some viewers including Netflix star Katherine Ryan were stunned by the clip and claimed Darren has “Nazi tattoos on his face”.
She tweeted: “‘White men can’t get on TV anymore’…..this one literally has Nazi tattoos on his face and is on TV.”
Another wrote: “The bloke with the neo nazi tattoos. I thought you were the history channel.”
A third raged: “Are you for real? The bloke has Nazi tattoos on his face ffs. Sky ‘History’ indeed. Morons.”
In the clip Darren says: “I am patient. To a degree. So if there’s gonna be people getting in my way, there might be fireworks.”
He later tells Lee Mack: “So I’m known as The Woodman. So I turn up and say, ‘I am The Woodman.”
Sky History has been contacted by Daily Star Online for comment.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
