Coronation Street bosses axe director after he ‘claimed that racism doesn’t exist in the media and branded stars speaking out against discrimination “victim-making frauds”‘
Coronation Street bosses have dropped freelance director Steve Finn after he made social media comments about racism and slammed those speaking out against it.
According to the Huffington Post, Finn claimed that racism doesn’t exist in the media, reportedly taking things a step further by disparaging the public figures who spoke about experiencing it.
In posts attributed to Finn, historian David Olusoga was the target of vitriolic posts, calling him a ‘victim-making fraud’ after he spoke about being marginalised in his career. Further posts also took aim at director Noel Clarke and author John Amaechi.
Racism row: Coronation Street bosses have dropped freelance director Steve Finn after he made social media comments about racism and slammed those speaking out against it
After his Finn’s posts came to light, a Corrie spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We have been made aware of comments on social media by a freelance director, Steve Finn, which are inconsistent with the values of both Coronation Street and ITV.’
‘The director will not therefore be returning to Coronation Street,’ they concluded.
After Olusoga spoke about his experiences with discrimination in the industry, a post attributed to Finn was shared on Facebook, which read: ‘Oh poor dear, so crushed by his success on the unenlightened British media.
‘Could I get just a tenth of his salary for making programmes which people actually watch, as he is so crushed.’
Vitriolic posts: In posts attributed to Finn, historian David Olusoga was the target of vitriolic posts, calling him a ‘victim-making fraud’ after he spoke about being marginalised in his career
In further commentary on the matter, he is said to have claimed that he had never seen any racism during his decades-long career in television.
The post read: ‘I have worked in this business for over 40 years and I have not seen one instance of racism.
‘I’m afraid I find people like him [Olusoga] beyond contempt because he has made a very nice earner out of his niche abilities, but now wants to ride the racism high-horse to maximum effect.
‘I am a product of the white working-class, and have often felt alone and isolated, and yes unwanted, especially in the BBC, but I would never have made such a shameful parody of myself just to further my career.’
Another post read: ‘People like Olusaga [sic] are victim-making frauds and need to be called out.’
He is also said to have called Kidultood star Clarke a ‘f***tard’ after he spoke about asking for a more diverse production crew on the set of a TV show.
‘You got some white people “let go” to assuage your own agenda,’ read the post.
In July, after a host of stars spoke out publicly about their experiences with racism, ITV announced a Diversity Acceleration Plan to ‘create more opportunities for those from Black, Asian, minority ethnic and other underrepresented groups’.
Hurling insults: He is also said to have called Kidultood star Clarke a ‘f***tard’ after he spoke about asking for a more diverse production crew on the set of a TV show