"It’s behind you!”

‘It’ being the affronted parent, of course:

The 55-year-old funnyman, who lives in Rossendale, said seven-year-old Sebastian Pautsch, who suffers from autism, was in a group of children who were invited on stage during a performance of Aladdin at Preston Guild Hall last month.

Mr Robbins admitted suggesting the little boy’s behaviour was unusual, but said staff had failed to mention that he had autism.

He said he was ‘mortified’ and ‘genuinely sorry’ that he had upset the child, and that he had personally apologised to the family.

And that should be the end of it. Surely?

“He wasn’t upset on the stage. If I’d have known he was upset I wouldn’t have used any lines of jocularity.

“There have been times when I have thought a child was upset and I have said ‘do you want to go back to mummy and daddy?’ and made sure they got back with some sweeties.”

Yeah, OK, that should do it…

“I’m not a cruel comic and I never have been. Anyone who knows me will tell you that, if anything, I’m overly soft.”

OK, fine, we get it…

“I’ve been in this business for donkey’s years and this is the first time anybody has ever complained about anything like this.”

Ah. *sigh* I see.

That’s the reason for this overly-fulsome apology. It’s your first time at this. Well, Ted, times have changed. Welcome to the new Age Of The Aggrieved.

And don’t think your grovelling apology is going to get you off the hook, either. Not when everyone else is keen to join the ‘I’m sorrier about it than you are!’ game:

Bernard Hayes, Preston City Council’s deputy chief executive, said an investigation into the incident was under way.

Well, of course it is! Clearly, there’s no other pressing matter in Preston that requires the intervention of the council, is there?

The family has been offered a free family ticket to attend next year’s panto at the Guild Hall, he added.

By which time, you might not be able to find any entertainers, so maybe the kiddiewinks can listen to a 3 hour recital of council minutes, instead? Guaranteed not to offend anyone (except maybe taxpayers).

A spokesman for the Guild Hall said manager Chris Haylett had also written a letter of apology to the family.

Anyone else? Is the theatre cleaner going to be roped in to this ghastly parade of ‘We’re so, so sorry!’?

Comments are worth reading:

Chris P Bacon says...

who said that wrote:

oldgit wrote:
Its a sad world we live in, Ted was having a laugh with the kids and his mother felt she had to complain, Once the British had the best sense of humour in the world, now were to scared to open our mouths without fearing we offended someone, whatever happened to sticks and stones may break my bones but calling names can't hurt me.

Sorry oldgit, but I think you are wrong. This child has a disability and the last thing that he needs is ridiculing.

You say that at one time we had a good sense of humour. We also once had freak shows and thank goodness that those days have gone.

I hope that one day you don't get dementia and someone decides to use your condition to get a few cheap laughs!!

Ted has obviously reflected on what has happened and realised the hurt this will have caused the child and his family, whilst you on the other hand still seem to think that there was nothing wrong in what was said..........shame on you!

Yes, there should be a panel of 'experts' to whom the comments of the person on stage should be passed and once deemed acceptable, it's allowed to be uttered to the audience. Or to an individual. That's got to be the way forward, hasn't it?

Dear god, don't give them ideas, even in jest!

I can just see the likes of Internet Finder Of Offence, @mrsnickyclark (at it again last week, trying to whip up a Twittermob on some poor sod - funnily enough, another children's entertainer - who's humour failed her personal test), being the first person to volunteer for the role!