Charlene White has defended her decision not to wear a poppy after being targeted with ‘vitriol and racism’.
The Loose Women host, who is also a regular on ITV news, was joined by Oti Mabuse, Judi Love and Kelle Bryan on the live show last week as they discussed a range of topics.
However, while Oti, 35, Judi, 45, and Kelle, 50, were all wearing a poppy pin on their clothing, Charlene opted not to place one on her jacket.
The red poppy is worn a sign of respect for those who lost their lives in the World Wars, with the majority of TV presenters wearing one in the days leading up to Remembrance Day on November 11.
Taking to social media, some viewers criticised the presenter for showing ‘no respect’.
Now, however, Charlene has shared the reason behind her decision not to wear a poppy, as she also revealed how her father, who served in the RAF, took his own life.
Writing on Instagram, she posted a picture of her father with the caption: ‘My dad, in uniform during his years in the RAF. An immigrant from Jamaica, who signed up to join the British Armed Services when he was just a teenager.
‘I post this, as despite the fact I’m barely on the TV at the moment because I’m still grieving his shocking passing (and live TV is difficult for me at the moment) the hate, vitriol and racism aimed at me because of my personal decision not to wear a poppy on air has begun again.
‘I’ve also posted, for the first time, the support I’ve had from the start from the Royal British Legion @royalbritishlegion, when all the abuse first begun back in 2013.
‘I support the charity, I donate to its work, I believe in its work, and I wear a Poppy off screen. But I believe in the impartiality rules which exist in broadcasting regarding charities. You may not agree with me, and I genuinely don’t expect everyone to, but disagreement does not legitimise the abuse.
‘It is not what my dad, my uncle, my close friends and millions of others served for.
‘And those who instigate and fan the flames of hate and racism, especially when they know full well I’m in the depths of trying navigate the world as a child of parental suicide, should honestly take a moment to think about their actions.’
Responding beneath her post, Traitors star Alan Carr said: ‘Sending you so much love ❤️❤️❤️’
@vanessakingori also wrote: ‘Sending you so much love Char. Saddened that you even have to address any of this whilst you should just have the space to grieve. Sorry for your loss ❤️’
The Royal British Legion account added: ‘We will always stand by you Charlene.’
This comes after Charlene spoke out about the racist and sexist abuse she received for choosing not to wear a poppy in 2019.
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The ITV News presenter, whose uncle served in the army, similarly explained how she prefers to be ‘neutral and impartial on-screen’.
She also added that she does wear a poppy off-screen, along with a pink ribbon for breast cancer, a red ribbon for World Aids Day and other symbols.
Speaking about the abuse she received at the time, Charlene added: ‘The messages of ‘go back to where you came from’ have been interesting to read, as have the ‘fat slag’ comments, and the repeated use of the phrase “black c**t”.
‘Mostly because it flies in the face of everything that millions of British men and women and those in the Commonwealth have fought for for generations, and continue to fight for: the right to choose, and the right of freedom of speech and expression.’
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