Marc Fennell apologises for “appalling” disability joke
SBS host Marc Fennell has apologised after joking about genetic conditions on The Project last Thursday.
The 35-year-old has faced backlash following his comments during a segment on an American vlogger making beans on toast.
“Every time she posts a video I’m like, ‘Are you missing a chromosome? Like, what has happened to you?’” he said.
A missing chromosome is a disorder that can lead to genetic conditions such as Turner syndrome.
Former AFLW player and Survivor Australia contestant Moana Hope, whose sister Lavinia has Möbius syndrome, condemned Fennell’s comment.
“Lavinia’s missing a chromosome and so many other people are missing chromosomes and I cannot believe he decided to use it as an example of dumb and stupid,” Hope said in an Instagram video.
She wrote in the caption: “You don’t get to bully and discriminate against people with special needs and think it’s ok coz you got a ‘laugh’ on a national TV.”
On Sunday, Fennell issued an apology over the “stupid, hurtful” comment on his social media pages, saying he was not aware the chromosome joke was related to genetic disorders.
“I went on [The Project] and offhandedly said something which I have since realised was an appalling ableist comment,” he wrote.
“Pretty much the moment I got off air I’ve been trying to personally respond to everyone who has messaged me. It felt like the right thing to do. To really read, listen and respond to the many parents, siblings of and disabled and neurodiverse people who messaged me.
“Words matter. My words matter. Ableism like this is not what I’m about and I hope you believe that I can and will do better.”
Fennell thanked Hope for calling him out. “She was and is absolutely right to call this stuff out.”