Eamonn Holmes stutters apology after dropping racial slur during Kerry Katona chat
Eamonn Holmes was forced to apologise after dropping a racial slur live on GB News during a chat with Kerry Katona about her plastic surgery on Thursday morning
Eamonn Holmes was compelled to issue an apology on Thursday's GB News after uttering a racial slur during a conversation with pop star Kerry Katona, leaving her speechless. The host used the offensive term while commenting on her appearance.
The 44-year-old joined the morning chat show for a discussion on plastic surgery. However, as she proudly displayed the results of her facelift a year later, Kerry was taken aback when Eamonn referred to her eyes as "Oriental."
This racial term was prohibited by the Home Office in 2021 for being outdated and offensive.
"Are you happy with the eyes?" Eamonn queried Kerry, as his co-presenter Ellie Costello added: "They look good, they look lovely."
"Yeah," responded Kerry, before elaborating, "I had them done over a year ago now. You know it was making my eyes feel a bit heavy, so I had an uplift. But what I don't like is when..."
As Kerry attempted to continue, Eamonn interjected, "And you don't look Oriental or anything, do you?" reports Daily Express.
Kerry seemed momentarily speechless as she stammered, "I just wanted the skin removed. I didn't want to change my face; I just wanted the skin that was hanging over my eyes."
Ellie chimed in: "And the thing is, Kerry, is that you're open about it, aren't you?"
Later in the programme, Eamonn had to apologise to viewers for his use of the word "Oriental".
He stated, "Apparently, you're not allowed to describe someone as looking oriental or... I don't know how I would then describe Kerry Katona if her eyes change shape."
The GB News host continued: "I don't know how I'm going to say does she look like someone from some other country in the eastern of the world... The world is ridiculous.
"How you have to apologise for people... if she painted herself or... I don't know, I can't get into this. But anyway.
"But Kerry looks beautiful," Ellie declared.
"Kerry looks well," Eamonn concurred before adding, "I'm sorry if you don't look well or if we have offended you in any way or... oh, I don't know."
GB News broadcasts daily from 6am.