Ofcom officials have concluded that 'Capital Breakfast' host Roman Kemp did nothing wrong in regards to the comment he made in September about the K-Pop boyband.
- Oct 23, 2018
AceShowbiz - A top U.K. DJ has been cleared of racism after criticising boy band BTS (Bangtan Boys) on air.
Media watchdog officials at Ofcom reportedly received 59 complaints of "race discrimination and offence" against "Capital Breakfast" host Roman Kemp over comments he and his radio show sidekicks made in September.
"That was BTS and Nicki Minaj, that noise you were just hearing there," he said after playing the band's single "Idol".
Co-presenter Sonny Jay added, "I thought there (were) construction workers outside."
The BTS Army took aim at the presenters and the radio station, with some claiming the criticism was racially motivated - because the band hails from South Korea.
Kemp assured the fans he was not being racist in an apology he issued, stating: "The comments I have made have been widely twisted and labelled as something that they are not," he wrote on social media. "I will accept 100% responsibility if some of the views I put across have been deemed offensive and to those I can only apologise. No offence was ever meant."
The comments I have made have been widely twisted and labelled as something that they are not. I will accept 100% responsibility if some of the views I put across have been deemed offensive and to those I can only apologise. No offence was ever meant.
— Roman Kemp (@romankemp) October 9, 2018
"It's never my intention to garner negative energy for anyone let alone within the world of music that I love so dearly. However, comments have started to now be aimed toward not only myself but my family and loved ones, I would please ask for this to stop."
It’s never my intention to garner negative energy for anyone let alone within the world of music that I love so dearly. However comments have started to now be aimed toward not only myself but my family and loved ones, I would please ask for this to stop.
— Roman Kemp (@romankemp) October 9, 2018
"I am sorry to anyone who may have been offended by any comment I have made toward BTS. I ask all BTS fans to know in their hearts that I have never thought anything negative of the band nor would I want to stop the joy of spreading music."
I am sorry to anyone who may have been offended by any comment I have made toward BTS. I ask all BTS fans to know in their hearts that I have never thought anything negative of the band nor would I wont to stop the joy of spreading music.
— Roman Kemp (@romankemp) October 9, 2018
Meanwhile, Ofcom bosses have decided to close their investigation into the complaints after ruling Kemp did nothing wrong.
