Jamie Oliver apologises and withdraws book from sale after offending ethnic group

The celebrity chef said he was "devastated to have caused offence" as he withdrew his latest children's book from sale following the controversy

By: irishmirror.ie

Nov 10 2024
21
2968 Views

Jamie Oliver apologises and wi

Jamie Oliver has apologised and withdrawn a children’s book after it offended First Nation Australians.

The TV chef’s book, Billy and the Epic Escape, which features an indigenous girl captured by a villain, was criticised for being damaging and disrespectful.

Author Cheryl Leavy raised concerns over the subplot’s themes of slavery and child stealing. It came amid criticism over the reduction of First Nations beliefs and spirituality to “magic”.

Jamie, 49, who is touring in Sydney for his latest cookbook, said: “I am devastated to have caused offence and apologise wholeheartedly. It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue. Together with my publishers we have decided to withdraw the book from sale.”

Billy and the Epic Escape was published in May. On Saturday, however, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation said it added to the “erasure, trivialisation, and stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences”. Penguin Random House said its publishing standards fell short.

In the book, which had errors involving indigenous words, a woman teleports to Alice Springs to steal foster girl Ruby. She is rescued and repatriated in England, telling friends she can read people’s minds and communicate with animals and plants as “that’s the indigenous way”.

Jamie read parts of the book at Great Bradfords Junior School in Braintree, Essex, in May.

The healthy school meals activist, who has dyslexia, released his first kids’ book, Billy and the Giant Adventure, last year.

In Billy and the Epic Escape, an evil woman with supernatural powers teleports to Alice Springs to steal a child from a fictional community called Borolama. The sub plot sees her attempt to kidnap an Australian indigenous child because “First Nations children seem to be more connected with nature”.

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .