Al Porter says his conduct was part of his f lamboyance
Comedian responds to grope claims by saying sorry for ‘any distress’ caused – but associates behaviour with his ‘outrageous persona’
AL Porter yesterday broke his silence on allegations that he engaged in inappropriate sexual behaviour, saying his conduct was ‘in keeping with my flamboyant and outrageous public persona’.
The comedian, 24, also announced that he is resigning from Today FM, where he had his own radio programme.
The host of TV3’s Blind Date apologised for any ‘distress’ he may have caused in what he ‘regarded as light-hearted and good-natured circumstances’.
Mr Porter, in the statement posted on his Twitter account, wrote: ‘I have been completely taken aback by reports in the media and on the social networks over the weekend, and by the scale and tone of the vitriol.
‘While my conduct, which had been in keeping with my flamboyant and outrageous public persona, may be regarded as offensive and unacceptable by many people, I at no time intended to upset anyone.
‘Up until now, I had been unaware of these complaints or the impact of my conduct and I am truly sorry for any distress I may have caused in what I had regarded as light-hearted and good-natured circumstances.
‘Although, on legal advice, I cannot comment on specific allegations at the present time, I nonetheless sincerely apologise to anyone I may have genuinely offended.’
He continued: ‘I am very grateful to Today FM, the Olympia Panto and TV3 for the space and time I’ve been granted to deal with the situation.
‘I have, however, come to the personal decision that I need time away from the spotlight after decades in the entertainment industry.
‘I have informed Today FM that I am resigning from the station with immediate effect.
‘To my family, colleagues, friends and fans, I thank you for your many, many messages of support.’
There was a clause in the DJ’s radio contract stipulating that he can face immediate dismissal should he bring the firm into disrepute, The Irish Mail on Sunday reported.
Mr Porter’s contract was believed to be worth €140,000 a year for his afternoon slot on the commercial station where he had more than 123,000 listeners tuning in daily.
TV3 chiefs also face a dilemma as six more episodes of Blind Date – which has an audience of more than 250,000 – filmed by the station over the summer months are yet to be broadcast.
They are due to be aired in the New Year but it remains to be seen if that goes ahead.
The show was on a break at the weekend but it is understood a repeat of last week’s programme, scheduled to be aired on Saturday night, was replaced at the last minute.
A TV3 spokeswoman confirmed to the IMoS that the repeat was pulled due to the allegations, but wouldn’t be drawn on future broadcasts.
Meanwhile, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services yesterday responded to allegations that Mr Porter behaved inappropriately while taking part in an awarenessraising event. A former psychiatric patient has claimed that the comic groped and kissed him while visiting the hospital in 2015, The Sunday Times reported.
A statement from St Patrick’s Mental Health Services yesterday said that it ‘applies the highest standards of supervision to all activities involving service users’.
It continued: ‘No allegations, complaints or concerns have been made to St Patrick’s Mental Health Services by service users or staff in relation to these matters, and the organisation has only been made aware of the allegations regarding Mr Al Porter this morning through a Sunday newspaper.
‘The organisation would encourage the people making these allegations to report them directly to the Garda Síochána and to the organisation itself so that they can be thoroughly investigated.
‘St Patrick’s Mental Health Services is committed to providing the highest quality mental health care and to ensuring the safety of its service users.’
Mr Porter is understood to be using top Belfast-based libel lawyer Paul Tweed, who has successfully represented Louis Walsh and Justin Timberlake in civil cases.
Mr Tweed declined to comment when contacted by the Irish Daily Mail yesterday.
‘I am resigning from the station’ Patient claimed comic groped him