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The Lancashire Telegraph
News, sport and entertainment from all over East Lancashire
Lancashire panto star Ted Robbins says sorry for on-stage comments (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Lancashire panto star Ted Robbins says sorry for on-stage comments
7:00pm Tuesday 10th January 2012 in Preston
By Jon Livesey, Reporter
'SORRY' Ted Robbins
COMEDIAN Ted Robbins has apologised amid claims he upset a child with learning difficulties on stage during panto.
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.
Mr Robbins, who presents a show on Radio Lancashire, said: “I always have a bit of a laugh and a joke with the kids, but I think his mum thought I was mocking him.
“My first thing was that I was mortified because I would never purposely upset a kid. I have kids of my own and have spent my life working with kids in pantos.
“This little boy, looking back now, did behave in a certain way and I said ‘have you had a lot of additives?’ or something like that.
“I think I said something along the lines of ‘there’s 500 kids in this theatre and I get this one’.
“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.
“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.”
Following the incident on December 22, theatre bosses yesterday confirmed the boy’s mother, Rowena Face, had lodged an official complaint about comments made by Mr Robbins.
The comedian, who played Widow Twankey, said he had since contacted the family to apologise.
He said: “I said to his mum, perhaps I should have known he had learning difficulties, but little lads act differently all the time, especially if they’re nervous or overwhelmed.
“I have personally apologised to Rowena and asked if there was anything I could do, so I have left that with them.
“I would like to think Sebastian’s family and myself are on good terms now.
“I’m genuinely sorry that I upset him. If I’d have know he had learning difficulties I wouldn’t have set about things in the way I did.
“I’ve been in this business for donkey’s years and this is the first time anybody has ever complained about anything like this.”
Bernard Hayes, Preston City Council’s deputy chief executive, said an investigation into the incident was under way.
The family has been offered a free family ticket to attend next year’s panto at the Guild Hall, he added.
A spokesman for the Guild Hall said manager Chris Haylett had also written a letter of apology to the family.
Comments are closed on this article.
Comments (29)
7:16pm Tue 10 Jan 12
Norman the Wangler says...
no, im joking. i.feel a bit sorry for both the boy and ted. i bet the he wanted.the ground to swallow him up when he realised. and nobody likes to think of kids upset either. poor lad. and poor ted too!
7:25pm Tue 10 Jan 12
oldgit says...
8:11pm Tue 10 Jan 12
stan the man says...
8:16pm Tue 10 Jan 12
kateash says...
8:20pm Tue 10 Jan 12
who said that says...
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!
8:26pm Tue 10 Jan 12
ratshowilikeit says...
8:43pm Tue 10 Jan 12
Chris P Bacon says...
9:01pm Tue 10 Jan 12
who said that says...
9:05pm Tue 10 Jan 12
disgusted tunbridge wells says...
9:25pm Tue 10 Jan 12
Your ferret stinks says...
If you have a wonky eye or a short leg, are bald with a bent ear, then of course your going to get the micky taken out of you and in some cases it may hurt! but the fact remains what it is and its funny! so stop crying about nothing and give the guy a break who has raised more money for disadvantaged childeren than you self righteous pompous arm chair critics will ever do! if you can be bothered!!
9:25pm Tue 10 Jan 12
Your ferret stinks says...
If you have a wonky eye or a short leg, are bald with a bent ear, then of course your going to get the micky taken out of you and in some cases it may hurt! but the fact remains what it is and its funny! so stop crying about nothing and give the guy a break who has raised more money for disadvantaged childeren than you self righteous pompous arm chair critics will ever do! if you can be bothered!!
9:27pm Tue 10 Jan 12
Cuttingsky says...
9:42pm Tue 10 Jan 12
QuarryGang78 says...
'To long Ted' 'come back Jim'
at least Bowen had a go at people who could fight back..or sulk.
9:48pm Tue 10 Jan 12
littlechicken says...
9:49pm Tue 10 Jan 12
littlechicken says...
10:15pm Tue 10 Jan 12
bubble of reason says...
Row en a Face!
Sounds like it.
11:11pm Tue 10 Jan 12
MrMungus says...
Why send the child up there if he can't behave. Just looking for publicity an compensation. Grow up and stop bleating at every opportunity.
11:12pm Tue 10 Jan 12
Keep Darwen Green says...
12:37am Wed 11 Jan 12
gazzandste says...
12:50am Wed 11 Jan 12
DJ_Jaybee says...
8:10am Wed 11 Jan 12
jonsta says...
8:38am Wed 11 Jan 12
frank says...
see it for what it is, a genuine mistake. he's apologised what more can he do?
what next court action for hurt feelings?
10:59am Wed 11 Jan 12
A Darener says...
2:00pm Wed 11 Jan 12
Thowd Codger says...
2:37pm Wed 11 Jan 12
St.R says...
2:40pm Wed 11 Jan 12
Dave Harwood says...
8:21pm Wed 11 Jan 12
Keep Darwen Green says...
11:21pm Wed 11 Jan 12
M Foster says...
"Completely agree!"
Is it that YOU completely agree or that you instruct US to completely agree?
11:21pm Wed 11 Jan 12
M Foster says...
"Completely agree!"
Is it that YOU completely agree or that you instruct US to completely agree?