Jason Lee would welcome apology from Baddiel and Skinner over 1990s comedy sketches

Lee played for Forest from 1994-1997
Getty Images

Former Nottingham Forest striker Jason Lee says he has never received an apology from TV personalities David Baddiel and Frank Skinner over a series of sketches making fun of his hairstyle and ability.

The comedy pair often made the forward the subject of jokes on their Fantasy Football League programme during the 1990s, and Lee feels the remarks about his hair in particular had racist implications.

“Baddiel and Skinner, did they realise the impact of what they were saying, how it affected so many people?” the 50-year-old told PA.

“Especially a hairstyle, you’re talking about ethnicity, a lot of black people would wear dreadlocks and feel deeply offended by someone who’s getting mocked for a similar hairstyle. The implications were far wider, and it wouldn’t happen today.

Frank Skinner and David Baddiel in 1998
Fiona Hanson/PA

“You see [Wilfried] Zaha playing today, and others with similar hairstyles, it couldn’t happen today.

“I never received an apology from Baddiel and Skinner.

“It wasn’t like I was looking for one, but I’ve never met them in person. If I met them in person, it’s a conversation we would have. I’ve never been mentally weak or physically weak, so would you stand in front of me and mock me? I think you wouldn’t.”

When asked whether he would welcome an apology now, more than 20 years on, Lee added: “It’s never too late. I think that would be good for maybe my children to hear that, and it would show them that in today’s day and age people maybe are more remorseful, and people are having to look at how they act.”

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