ITV has issued an apology after the latest episode of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
It follows complaints over the End Of The Show Show which saw music guest Anne-Marie joined by Ant and Dec for a karate themed performance of Ciao Adios.
Following the episode airing on TV, complaints were made over the apparent use of the ‘Rising Sun’ flag which featured on Ant and Dec’s costumes.
The performance has since been removed from YouTube and will be re-edited for repeats, ITV has said.
They told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “We apologise for any offence caused during the End of the Show Show by the costumes worn.
“This was clearly unintended and we have taken steps to re-edit that part of the episode for the Hub and for repeat broadcasts.”
Anne-Marie also took to Twitter to say sorry for the use of the controversial flag, which is considered offensive in parts of East Asia such as South Korea.
“I sincerely apologise to all those who were affected and hurt by my appearance last night on a UK TV,” she wrote. “I want you to know that I had nothing to do with the costumes on this sketch.
“Unfortunately education on this part of the history wasn’t done and I am also hurt by the pain this signifies for so many people.
“I am truly sorry and I promise you that this will not happen again.
“Our team is talking to the TV station, working on taking down the footage so that it does not cause any more pain.”
Elsewhere on this week’s Takeaway, Rob Brydon was in the studio as Star Guest Announcer.
Boxing super star Anthony Joshua followed Ant & Dec’s every instruction as he faced I’m A Celebrity…Get Out Of Me Ear.
Anthony was on the hunt for a new ‘personal chef’ and grilled the potential chefs on their cooking skills alongside putting them through various very unusual job interview scenarios.
And what with it being a leap day, a number of woman in the audience proposed to their husbands live on TV.
Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway airs on ITV at 7PM on Saturday nights.
You’re be able to watch episodes live and catch up online in full via the ITV Hub.
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