presenter has been urged to apologise to darts prodigy for his cruel weight comment.
On Wednesday (January 1), the 17-year-old secured a place in the World Championship semi-final after defeating Nathan Aspinall and pocketing a staggering £100,000 cash prize.
During Thursday’s visit (January 2) to the studios, the 50-year-old broadcaster and his co-host , 57, discussed the sportsman’s remarkable performance on the show.
However, their conversation turned sour when the dad-of-two commented on the teenager’s figure, sparking criticism from viewers.
He confessed: “I have to say, and this might not be very popular, I’m a little bit worried about Luke. He’s 17 and he’s turning into the look of a darts player. He is though. If I were his mum and dad, I mean, he’s sort of – look at him.”
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GMB presenter Adil Ray faced backlash for his comments on Luke Littler (Image: ITV)
Commenting on the darts player’s diet, he added: “He’s admitted he has pizzas before a match and sits there playing computer games. I just think I’d be a bit worried.”
Kate interjected: “Are you? But he’s so successful!” to which he replied: “I know! But he’s going to get more successful and he’s going to keep on doing it. I just worry I don’t want him to get too unhealthy.”
Ray even went further to suggest he would give the darts player a Pret salad ahead of the final. Now, a PR expert has insisted that the broadcaster issue an apology to the young sportsman following the backlash he received for his controversial comments.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, warned the presenter that keeping quiet could be the wrong move to repair the damage done. She told us: “I feel he made the comment off the cuff and was no aware of the impact and backlash it would get.
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He admitted he was “worried” about the sportsman getting “too unhealthy” (Image: No credit)
“I think he should consult with his team/ PR or even GMB teams to see what the best course of action should be and how to approach it, with as little impact as possible.
“However, I do think if he says nothing, people won’t be happy and even if he does, I’m sure they will say it came too late. I think it’s’ best to address it, admit a mistake was made, apologise and let it be if he does believe it was wrong.”
His comments sparked huge backlash online, with fans demanding a public apology and an Ofcom investigation.
One user fumed: “Disgusting watching Adil Ray getting away with insulting LukeLittler by fat-shaming him. Kate Garraway then tried to make out he was concerned about the health of darts players.”
Another agreed: “I can’t believe the body shaming by Adil Ray on this morning’s GMB about Luke Littler. This programme will have carried disapproving items on body shaming in the past. Leave the young lad alone. Would he have said that about a woman? I think an apology is in order.”
Others suggested that the media regulator Ofcom should get involved, arguing: “Really? Fat shaming live on morning TV @Ofcom should investigate this shocking behaviour.”
Meanwhile, several demanded an apology, writing: “I hope he makes a public apology to Luke Littler after making derogatory comments about him.”