Sky TV chiefs have scrapped their new show The Chop, after a Bristol carpenter appearing as a contestant prompted outcry due to his facial tattoos.
Bosses at Sky History have announced it will not be broadcasting any more episodes of The Chop, where contestants competed to be crowned Britain's Top Woodworker.
The channel halted broadcasting of the show after just one episode was aired earlier this month after people drew attention to contestant Darren Lumsden’s strange facial tattoos including the number 88 inked on his cheek.
Viewers of the show took to Twitter to point out the number is also a code used by white supremacists to mean Heil Hitler.
Mr Lumsden, from Bristol, was one of 10 contestants battling it out, which would see the winner stage their own exhibition at the prestigious William Morris Gallery in London.
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Initially Mr Lumsden, who grew up in Frenchay and went to Downend School, said the tattoo was in commemoration of the year of his father’s death.
But then a man called Trevor said he is Darren's dad and very much alive living in Bristol.
Sky paused the screenings of all episodes and removed all clips of Mr Lumsden from its social media feeds and launched an investigation.
It has now announced further broadcasts of the series will be scrapped.
Sky History added father of two Mr Lumsden, who now lives in Portishead, continues to ‘strenuously deny’ he has any far right leanings.
Statement from Sky
A spokesman for Sky History said: “Following an independent investigation, AETN UK has made the decision not to broadcast any further episodes of The Chop on Sky HISTORY.
“A contestant’s tattoos included symbols that could be connected to far-right ideologies and could cause offence; we sincerely apologise for that and we are sorry that our processes did not prompt further investigation at an earlier stage.
“The contestant continues to strenuously deny that he has, or ever had, far-right leanings.
"We are thoroughly reviewing our internal processes following the investigation.
“AETN UK and Sky HISTORY stand against racism and hate speech of all kinds.”
In an earlier interview with Bristol Live about his appearance on the show, Mr Lumsden revealed he started to have his head and face tattooed around 10 years ago, and said: “I had other tattoos already.
“But about 10 years ago I saw someone with facial tattoos and started to work with my tattooist on my look.
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“I have my daughter on the back of my head and my son on my cheek.
“When some people first meet me they are a bit shocked, admittedly. But they soon warm to me after a few minutes.
“Some people ask for selfies with me. I’ve never had a negative reaction to my tattoos.They are just me.”
The show was hosted by Lee Mack, Rick Edwards and master craftsmen William Hardie and was being hailed as the new 'Bake Off with wood.'
