Graham Norton has issued an apology to the people of Fermoy, after comments were made on his chat show last week describing the town as "horrible."
Norton, a fellow Cork man, has a traditional closing segment on his BBC chat show in which the celebrity guests react to outrageous story told by normal viewers sitting in the "Big Red Chair."
Guests then have a choice as to whether to allow the story tellers to remain in the chair, or to tip them backwards and knock them out of the chair.
On last week's show, a Scottish guest recounted living in Fermoy for 20 years, going on to describe the Cork town as "horrible," before suggesting that the town's main landmark was a "bridge, if people want to jump off it."
Needless to say, the population of Fermoy were unhappy with the remarks and, on this week's episode, Graham Norton issued an apology.
READ HERE: An Extremely Sweaty Jean Claude Van Damme Appeared On The Late Late Show
READ HERE: Liam Brady Recounts How Jack Charlton Once Forgot His Name In Dressing Room
Graham Norton apologises to the people of Fermoy
Though born in Dublin, Graham Norton was raised in Bandon, County Cork, and so some from Fermoy were disappointed that he had not done more to stand up for his home county in the face of disappointing comments on last week's BBC show.
On Friday night, Norton apologised for the airing of the offensive remarks.
Graham Norton FINALLY apologises to the people of Fermoy pic.twitter.com/RWPdjcX2OR
— Thomas Lawrance (@_ThomasLawrance) October 21, 2023
Last Friday's show had seen Norton fight back against the guest on the red chair, noting the existence of the "Big Pencil," a landmark of the town - another comment he issued a more tongue-in-cheek apology for:
Before we do anything, I must begin with an apology. Last week, there was someone on the red chair and they were less than kind about the town of Fermoy in County Cork in Ireland.
Suffice to say, the people of Fermoy - not happy. Quite upset about it.
We'd like to apologise.
In fairness, I did defend Fermoy, and said it's the home of the Big Pencil. Sadly, I must apologise again, because apparently the giant pencil has been removed.
On the upside, Fermoy did win cleanest town in Ireland in 2007 and 2018, so I imagine it's still quite clean. Big up Fermoy!
Norton's apology came after widespread complaints were made about last week's offensive segment.
Fine Gael councillor for Fermoy Noel McCarthy had weighed in on the debate, saying that the people of the town were "horrified," and encouraging people to pay a visit to see the town for themselves:
I've had calls from people since Saturday night very upset about the town being portrayed like that.
It was very insulting, we're horrified by it and it's got so much press now we're not going to leave it go.
Fermoy has great, friendly people who will always make you feel welcome. It always looks very picturesque, a place you could stop and have a coffee or a drink - if Graham Norton comes he will see that
SEE ALSO: Dolly Parton Reveals She Still Has Páidí Ó Sé's Jersey Hanging In Her Home
