So what’s your excuse for such abhorrence, Baker?
IN 2011, when civil unrest gripped parts of London, BBC radio presenter Danny Baker came up with a repellent idea for how those who had taken part in the disturbances should be punished. ‘I wish cancer on every one of these rioting dogs,’ he wrote on his Twitter account.
Last week he was at it again. This time, he was wishing cancer on Lewisham councillors for their treatment of his team, Millwall, and a series of questionable decisions, which may force the club to move away from their home at The Den and away from London altogether.
Millwall fans are right to be appalled at the threat to their club. It is the latest example of the needs and loyalties of football supporters being trampled underfoot by politicians who pay lip service to the people’s game when it suits them but turn their backs on it when ordinary fans need them.
But Baker’s comments do Millwall a disservice.
They are loathsome and they are abhorrent and they do much to feed the culture of casual and vicious malice that infects so much discussion on social media now, particularly where football is involved.
Baker, who suffered cancer of the mouth and throat in 2011, wishes cancer on someone who loots a shop, or vandalises a bus stop or disagrees with him about the future of his football club and nothing is said or done. Some are even praising him for bringing attention to the cause.
And then we are appalled when some silly kid makes sickening jokes about the death of Harry Arter’s child, comments that make you want to weep that anyone could be so callous and cruel.
It has since transpired that Arter’s abuser has autism and ADHD. It does not excuse what he said but it helps us understand the absence of empathy in his words.
I don’t know if Baker has an excuse but when he is indulged for wishing cancer on people, can we really be surprised when others follow suit?