Bake Off star issues apology after charity calls out ‘harmful message’ --[Reported by Umva mag]

Ravneet Gill has spoken out after comments she made on Great British Bake Off spin-off show Extra Slice attracted criticism, as a charity demanded an apology.

Last week, the pastry chef appeared on the Channel 4 programme alongside hosts Jo Brand and Tom Allen to discuss the Bread Week challenges.

During her appearance, she said: ‘Well, I love bread but my mum’s coeliac so she shouldn’t eat bread, but she still loves it, she still eats it.’

In an open letter to the producers of the show, Coeliac UK said it would ‘like to express concern’ over her remarks, saying her comments ‘trivialise coeliac disease and send a harmful message to the public.’

Now, Ravneet has taken to her Instagram Story to apologise for any offence caused.

‘Hi, everybody. I hope you’re good. I wanted to come on here to address some comments I made on TV last week where I said that my mum is a coeliac and she eats bread,’ she began.

Ravneet continued in the video: ‘I want to make it really clear that my intention was not in any way to cause any misinformation about the severity of coeliac disease or to downplay it at all.

‘For that, I hold my hands up and that was really never my intention.’

She added some background to her work: ‘For those of you that don’t know me, I thought I’d provide a bit of context to my work and what I do.

‘When I was in my twenties, I worked in London’s first gluten-free restaurant, long before platforms like YouTube and Instagram were as big, and I spent a lot of time educating myself.

‘I also have spent the last year writing a lot more gluten-free recipes for the community in my Guardian column, and that’s because I get asked about them a lot.’

‘I just want to circle back and let you know that I didn’t intend for those comments to cause harm, and the fact that they did really upset me, and I’m sorry about that,’ the star apologised.

‘My mum, also, by the way, is not offended or upset with me, some of you have asked. And her dietary choices have sometimes caused a bit of friction between us and I made humour of that and I made light of it, and I should not have.’

Ravneet concluded: ‘But, you know, in a fast-moving panel show, sometimes it’s hard and you can’t get your words out, and I should have provided more context.

‘So, for those of you that follow me as well, you know me, and I would just like to say that I am going to work really hard to try my best to think a lot more carefully before I speak, especially on a TV show.’

In their previous statement, Coeliac UK explained the severity of the condition.

‘Coeliac disease is a serious autoimmune condition where the ingestion of gluten triggers an immune response that damages the gut lining, leading to nutrient malabsorption and a host of potential health complications. Even the smallest crumb of gluten can cause severe symptoms, including debilitating pain, prolonged suffering and even recurrent miscarriage, as long-term health risks such as osteoporosis and, in rare cases, small bowel cancer. ‘

‘It is crucial to emphasise that coeliac disease is not a food preference or an allergy; it is a serious medical condition that requires lifelong adherence to a strict gluten-free diet,’ the letter, signed by chief executive officer Hilary Croft, read.

They continued that they were ‘particularly disheartened by Ravneet Gill’s comments given her previous role as a judge on the Junior Bake Off, where she displayed compassion for those that have been diagnosed with coeliac disease.’

Her remarks are said to have ‘perpetuated a narrative that dismisses the severity of this condition’ by ‘suggesting individuals with coeliac disease should compromise their health for the sake of enjoyment, which undermines the very real challenges they face and ultimately puts their health at risk.’

They also claimed the laughter in response to Ravneet’s comments ‘trivilaises the struggles of the 1 in 100 individuals in the UK affected by this condition’.

Humour came from host Jo and fellow guest Jonathan Ross, as Jo said: ‘Good for her,’ about Ravneet’s mum.

‘And good for whoever cleans up after her,’ Jonathan quipped.

The charity added: ‘We are hopeful that this incident will encourage your team to engage in respectful conversations regarding coeliac disease and its impact on individuals and families.’

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