LBC bosses today supported Steve Allen’s presentation of Tilly Ramsay, a Strictly Come Dancing teenager.
Allen, 67 years old, was forced to quit the show after he said he was bored with the CBBC host, 19-years-old daughter of Gordon Ramsay, and criticized her weight.
He said to listeners Wednesday that she can’t dance. I’m bored already with her. You’ve noticed that she’s a very chubby little girl. He referred to Gordon Ramsay and said: “Probably her dad’s cooking, I should imagine.”
MailOnline understands LBC is resisting calls from Allen to be fired and he is expected back to his morning show next Monday at 7am as normal.
MailOnline has been told by an insider to the contrary. Some people in LBC want him to stay. Others want Allen to leave because they consider him a ‘dinosaur.
According to an insider, Allen is a good friend of Eddie Mair and Nick Ferrari at LBC and is well-respected by other breakfast presenters.
Steve Allen (left), who is 67, was forced to quit his job after he claimed he was bored with Tilly Ramsay (right), the daughter of chef Gordon Ramsay. He also criticised her weight.
Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin were paired on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
LBC and Ofcom did not confirm whether there were any complaints. An Ofcom spokesperson told MailOnline that the company was still evaluating the complaints against its broadcasting rules but had yet to decide whether or no to investigate.
It was revealed by another source that Steve’s outdated, archaic comments were allowed to continue for far too much time and that many people want him to go.
“There’s free speech, and then there’s calling a teenage girl fat on the radio. Many believe it’s time he got his marching orders. He hasn’t made any unacceptable comments on air before and has not been disciplined.
“He should issue a minimum of an apology – but people want his departure.” He’s bringing down the reputation of the station.
Miss Ramsay, 19, stated that she won’t tolerate anyone criticizing her weight.
She wrote on Instagram, “I try to not read and listen to negative comments and feedback, but recently being called out by a 67 year-old man on a national radio station is a step too far.”
“It’s so sad that someone is trying make such a positive experience negative.” This is not the first and certainly will not be the last comment made regarding my appearance… but please remember that words do hurt.
Miss Ramsay, who is paired up with Nikita Kuzmin said that she knows there are repercussions to being in the public eye. She added: “But I won’t tolerate anyone that thinks it’s okay for them to publicly comment on and scrutinise any person’s weight or appearance.”
MailOnline today was told by a veteran radio industry insider that Allen would be wanted out by those at LBC, who are’slightly less progressive’ and “may regard Steve as a dinosaur”.
He also said that Allen seems to get along with Ferrari and Mair, so it is unlikely that they would want him to leave.
The insider continued: ‘I think there’s always been this idea that he’s a dinosaur because of his 20-year tenure. There have been many Ofcom complaints about him.
“But there was dissatisfaction when Nigel Farage was on LBC and it was from the James O’Brien stability. I’m not certain if this is in the same category.
“I don’t particularly like him, but I know he has a huge following and I think there would be quite an outcry if he disappeared from the airwaves.
He also said that Allen could soon retire.
According to the insider, it was quite strange that no apology had been made. Steve seems to be saying why should he apologize?
“I think everyone’s been tolerant of him, but I think the moment something similar happens people draw up battle lines.
“A lot of breakfast show presenters listen Steve Allen on the way to work because he’s a good host and well-respected in the industry.
He said that Ofcom could not guarantee that Allen would be found guilty, but that he didn’t believe the “she’s a little bit fat” would violate broadcasting rules.
After the comments made above by Steve Allen, Miss Ramsay was supported by strictly stars.
Industry insiders said that Allen is good friends with Eddie Mair (left) & Nick Ferrari (right), and is well-respected by other breakfast presenters.
He stated that they must balance freedom of expression and causing offense, and that ‘chubby is not one of the prohibited terms. It is possible that it is. However, the broadcasting code contains 2.1 which is known as ‘generally acceptable standards’.
“It’s their catchall, so if they have a lot of complaints, they will judge it according to that standard – so I don’t know if this would be upheld at Ofcom. It is permissible to offend other people. However, it is not against the broadcasting codes.
Miss Ramsay was supported on social media by strictly stars. Janette Manrara called her an “powerful young woman” while Dianne buswell said she was “so brave and courageous to speak up”.
Giovanna Fletcher’s husband Tom Fletcher is paired up with Amy Dowden in the current series. She called Allen ‘irrelevant.
Giovanni Pernice called his comments “nasty” while John Whaite (who is in the first same-sex couple on the show) wrote: ‘He’s a piece old sandpaper, worn and used, and has nothing to give the world.
“And his vicious scratching only left you polished, and more beautiful. We love you.
Alex George, former Love Island star, is a passionate advocate for mental well-being. He lost his younger brother to suicide and encouraged his two million followers, Dr Alex George, to email LBC to express their dissatisfaction with Allen’s infamous comments.