This Morning presenter Cat Deeley has apologised on the show today, after being called out by charities and people with epilepsy for “careless use of language” on the show on 17 June 2024.
Deeley made the comment yesterday as the show returned from a commercial break. Singer Meghan Trainor’s song ‘All About That Bass’ was playing while Deeley and co-presenter Ben Shephard introduced her on the next segment.
Deely started dancing to the song, and after Shephard quipped: “You alright?”, she replied: “Yeah, I’m fine. Just having a seizure. Welcome back.”
Epilepsy Action said Deeley’s comment was “thoughtless” and can have “real consequences” for people affected by epilepsy.
The organisation posted on X yesterday: “Just 2 months ago for Purple Day, @catdeeley you helped raise awareness about epilepsy & still end up saying something thoughtless.
“Your careless use of language has real consequences for people with epilepsy who already face so much stigma.
“This is why we need more awareness!”
When we have celebrities making inappropriate remarks and references about epilepsy, is it any wonder some people with a diagnosis are afraid of stigma and misunderstanding? Need some awareness training @catdeeley @ITV?
It’s inappropriate and offensive.https://t.co/psN6lapwjR
— Simon Privett (@SimonPrivett) June 17, 2024
On the show on 18 June 2024, Deeley said: “I just wanted to apologise to anyone who was offended yesterday when I made a light-hearted comment about my dancing style.
“It really wasn’t supposed to cause any upset to anybody, but I can see why that might have been the case, so I do apologise, I’m very sorry.”
Jon Eaton, Epilepsy Action director of communications and digital engagement said: “We appreciate Cat Deeley’s apology. We would have liked for her to acknowledge the realities of living with epilepsy more, but we’re glad she addressed her ‘joke’.
“That said, it would be even better if epilepsy wasn’t at the top of the list when it came to light-hearted remarks.
“Epilepsy is a serious condition. Seizures are seriously unpleasant. They can be life-threatening. But this is not the first time we hear people using “having a seizure” as a joke.
“Cat probably didn’t mean to cause any harm with her comment. But people who don’t live with epilepsy need to think about how their language affects those who do, especially when they have a big platform.
“We need high-profile people to help bring epilepsy to light and make it more visible, not make the stigma worse. Words matter.”
In March, Deeley and Shephard interviewed Dr Zoe on This Morning about epilepsy and seizures for Purple Day.
Epilepsy Action raised concerns with This Morning after the initial comment.
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