CHOP CHOP?
TV SHOW TAKEN OFF AIR IN ROW OVER CARPENTER’S ‘NAZI TATTOO’ FATHER SPEAKS OUT – AFTER HIS ‘DEATH’ WAS USED TO EXPLAIN SON’S MARKINGS
SKY bosses have taken a show off the air after a storm blew up over a Portishead carpenter’s tattoos.
Darren Lumsden, from Portishead, is a contestant on Sky History show The Chop, where contestants are competing to be crowned Britain’s Top Woodworker.
He found himself at the centre of a Twitter storm yesterday over his facial tattoos.
Among them is the number 88, which viewers of the show pointed out is a numerical code used by white supremacists to mean Heil Hitler.
Sky History was quick to defend Mr Lumsden, saying that the tattoo was in memory of his father, who died in 1988.
In a tweet, Sky said it carried out “extensive background checks” on contestants and found Mr Lumsden has “no links to racist groups”.
But just hours later Sky decided to put the programme on hold – and then later yesterday a man came forward claiming to be Mr Lumsden’s father.
The man, a 66-year-old named only as Trevor, told the Mail Online: “I’m here aren’t I? I’m alive and kicking so I’m not dead yet.”
He was reported as saying: “I haven’t seen Darren for some years, I didn’t know he had tattoos over his face or that he was going to be on TV.
“But if they are saying I’m dead, I’d like them to know I’m not.”
Sky History has postponed any further broadcasts of the show, which was aired for the first time last Thursday.
In a statement on Twitter it said: “While we investigate the nature and meaning of Darren’s tattoos we have removed the video featuring him from our social media, and will not be broadcasting any eps of The Chop until we have concluded that investigation.
“Sky History stands against racism and hate speech of all kinds.”
Mr Lumsden is one of 10 of the country’s finest joiners to showcase their talents in the new series hosted by Lee Mack, Rick Edwards
and master craftsman William Hardie.
The champion’s prize will be the chance to stage their own exhibition at the prestigious William Morris Gallery in London.
In an earlier interview with the Post, Darren, who lives in Portishead, did not shy away from the fact his tattoos have shocked people over the years.
Darren, who grew up in Frenchay and went to Downend School then Brunel College, said he started having his head and face tattooed around 10 years ago, and said: “I had other tattoos already.
“But about 10 years ago I saw someone with facial tattoos and started to work with my tattooist on my look.
“I have my daughter on the back of my head and my son on my cheek.
“When some people first meet me they are a bit shocked, admittedly.
“But they soon warm to me after a few minutes.
He said: “Some people ask for selfies with me. I’ve never had a negative reaction to my tattoos. They are just me.”
When asked to comment on Trevor’s interview on the Mail Online, Sky told the Post’s website Bristol Live: “All measures are being taken with the legal investigation including the latest news stories.
“There will be no further comment ... until verifications are made.”
I haven’t seen Darren for some years, I didn’t know he had tattoos over his face or that he was going to be on TV. But if they are saying I’m dead, I’d like them to know I’m not.
Trevor