Ryan Tubridy has faced backlash after making a joke about Seamus Coleman’s leg break on the Late Late Show.
Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman suffered a painful leg break last March during the World Cup qualifier last March against Wales. After a long 10-month recovery, Killybegs native Coleman was back on the pitch in the Everton colours in a Premier League clash against Leicester City just three weeks ago.
On the Late Late Show, Tubridy was discussing the annual Press Photographers Association of Ireland (PPAI) awards, which also took place on Friday.
During the segment, a selection of the most iconic photographs of 2017 was shown as PPAI President Robbie Reynolds gave the audience a background of each photograph.
A picture of Coleman’s mangled leg was shown on the screen.
Tubridy commented: “If you look closely at this image ladies and gentlemen, you will see a foot where a foot should not be.”
The audience gasped as the camera zoomed in for a closer look at the shocking injury.
Reynolds said: “I can hear an ‘oh’ from the audience, I felt the same way when I saw it first… it’s hard to watch.”
Turbidy then commented: “Bend it like Beckham… thankfully Seamus is back in action playing two-and-a-half weeks ago for Everton.”
Only a couple of members of the audience chuckled at the joke before Tubridy moved on to the next photograph.
Viewers vented their disgust on Twitter, with one commenting: ‘Bend it like Beckham’ when looking at a pic of Seamie Coleman’s broken leg is a bit tasteless by Tubridy.”
“‘Bend it like Beckham’… Ryan is such a sensitive soul,” another tweeted.
Other viewers said that it was “bad enough” to show the graphic picture without warning, without then making light of the crippling injury Coleman sustained.
Another tweeted: “Shocking and distasteful of The Late Late Show to celebrate the photo of Seamus Coleman horror tackle last year! Best wishes to him resurrecting his career!”
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