JAMES Haskell has been slammed by disability charity Scope after leaving an “ignorant and nasty” comment on Jacqueline Jossa’s Instagram post.
Yesterday, the 34-year-old former rugby star came under fire from fans when they spotted that he’d used a cruel slur on social media.
On a photo of his I’m A Celeb campmate posing in a pair of dungarees, James wrote that Jacqueline “looked like she was waiting for the sunshine bus” – an offensive slang term used to describe transport used by those with additional needs or disabilities.
James Taylor, Head of Policy, Campaigns and Public Affairs at disability equality charity, Scope has now slammed the remark.
Speaking to The Sun Online, he told us: “Ignorant, nasty language like this is no laughing matter.
“Public figures making these kinds of comments legitimises the discrimination that many disabled people still face on a daily basis.
“Negative attitudes, language and misconceptions can hold disabled people back in life, everywhere from work to shopping on the high street.”
Mr. Taylor added: “It’s time to put a stop to it.”
James is yet to publicly acknowledge the backlash, although his comment appears to have been deleted from Jacqueline’s post.
In the snap, the ex EastEnders star is wearing an animal print bikini top, baseball cap, and denim dungarees as she stands with one foot on a ball.
She captioned the shot: “So @danosborneofficial took this photo of me and I was certain I was going to look like a full on Instagram model in my cute dungarees on the beach.
“FUMING!! Look at me BUT still I look at this with fond memories of playing football on a beach with my hubby, racing and just being so silly. I can’t help but smile.
“Fair to say I will never be that girl.”
Her pal James, who is married to Chloe Madeley, was quick to comment, jibing: “You look like you are waiting for the sunshine bus and if anyone touches your football you will go mad.”
The phrase references the Variety Club’s Sunshine coaches, which are funded by the charity and used to take disabled and disadvantaged children on days out.
James was immediately slammed by Jacqueline’s horrified followers, with one writing: “I’m sorry such an ill judged comment…
“As a parent of a child with a disability these types of comments are often said to mock a person’s disability and are hugely offensive, experience first hand the struggles and pain of a disabled person or be a family member who hears comments relating to a person they love it’s heartbreaking.”
Another seethed: “Wow James, excelled yourself here, this certainly isn’t ‘banter central’ and no, I’m not a snowflake, just think this is a horrible comment.”
The Sun Online have contacted James’ rep for comment.
