Sara Cox slammed for 'inappropriate' joke about local fairground rides

Sara Cox comes under fire for making an ‘inappropriate’ joke about local fairground rides, saying they are ‘held together with Blu Tack’

Sara Cox has come under fire for making an ‘inappropriate’ joke about fairground rides during her Radio 2 show.

The presenter, 47, asked listeners to write in and share a ‘random, rickety ride’ they had been during her drivetime show on Tuesday.

One listener said they ‘love’ rollercoasters but didn’t think they would ‘make it to the end’ of one small fairground ride alive.

Under fire: Sara Cox has come under fire for making an ‘inappropriate’ joke about fairground rides during her Radio 2 show

In response, Sarah joked that small fairground rides are held together with ‘rusty screws and Blu Tack’, a comment that prompted fury from social media users.

She said: ‘That’s the thing with smaller local fairs, isn’t it? Their rollercoaster rides are held together with rusty screws, Blu Tack and crossed fingers.’ 

But many listeners took to Twitter to demand an apology as they claimed her comment was ‘inappropriate’ and ‘misguided’.

Some fairground owners were also quick to slam her joke as they said it was ‘hurtful’ to fairground businesses.

Criticised: In response, Sarah (pictured in May) joked that small fairground rides are held together with ‘rusty screws and Blu Tack’, a comment that prompted fury online

One person fumed: ‘Your comments last night about Fairgrounds were totally misguided and inappropriate.’

Another said: ‘@sarajcox your comments last night about Fairgrounds were totally misguided and inappropriate. An apology would be appreciated. 

‘Every piece of fairground equipment cannot operate without a yearly test carried out by an ADIPS inspector.’

While a third commented: @sarajcox would you like to visit a travelling fairground and see the truth of the situation and reconsider your comments yesterday which are hurtful to Travelling Showmen.’

Anger: But many listeners took to Twitter to demand an apology as they claimed her comment was ‘inappropriate’ and ‘misguided’

And a fourth raged: ‘@sarajcox your comments about the fairground are untrue and disturbing. Rusty screws and Bluetak. Come and have a look at our rides and you tell me where bluetak and rusty screws are.’ 

Following the backlash, the BBC defended Sara as they said she had not meant to ‘offend’ listeners or be ‘derogatory’ to any local fairs.

The statement read: ‘Sara made an off the cuff comment in response to a listener text about rollercoaster rides and was referring to her own childhood memories of fairground rides and not present day standards.

‘She did not mean to offend any of her listeners and the comment was in no way intended to be derogatory to local fairs.’

MailOnline contacted the BBC for further comment. 

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