A star from STRICTLY Come Dancing caused anger after admitting that he had never tried curry before because his grandmother called it “foreign dirt”.
Appearing on the BBC’s Platinum Jubilee Event program, Len Goodman was seen shrinking his face, admitting he had never eaten the dish.
The professional dancer and strict judge said he was “always worried” about the food after his grandmother’s comments.
Chef John Torod was seen laughing immediately after the 78-year-old’s remarks.
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BBC presenter Kirsty Young was silent as Goodman explained his thoughts on the dish, admitting he had tasted Coronation chicken for the first time on Saturday.
Asked if he was a great cook, Goodman said: “My wife made a crown chicken yesterday for our tea and I’ve never drunk it before.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman admits he has never tried curry or curry powder
“No, I’ve never drunk curry and curry powder before and all that. No.
“My grandmother called it all foreign filth, so I’ve always worried about it.”
Goodman then quickly admitted that he enjoyed the Coronation chicken.
He said, “But I have to admit it was delicious. It was so delicious.”
Part of Len Goodman’s old-fashioned xenophobia of the British Empire in the BBC’s anniversary coverage:
“Curry and curry strength … my grandmother called it all foreign filth.” pic.twitter.com/osDXEgIQJD
– Adam Schwarz (@AdamJSchwarz) June 5, 2022
The remarks sparked outrage online, with political commentator Adam Schwartz saying: “A touch of old-fashioned xenophobia from the British Empire by Len Goodman in the BBC’s anniversary coverage: ‘Curry and curry power … my grandmother called it all foreign filth.’
“Yes, Goodman quoted his grandmother, who was probably born in the 19th century. But if you share a racist quote, there is no way to do it while physically trembling at the target of racism and telling it as a supposedly humorous anecdote.
Another Twitter user wrote on Twitter: “A petition to make the BBC and Len Goodman apologize for his choice of words, calling Coronation Chicken” foreign dirt “in his grandmother’s words, apparently. Terrifying and NO apologies for his age.
“We forgive the older generations too much for things like this.”
BBC1’s Len Goodman talks about how his grandmother called curry powder “foreign dirt” with laughter. Careless, it is normal to speak in this way. Not a drop of self-awareness.
– Liz Trey (@LizTray) June 5, 2022
Consumer Claudia Boleyn said: “Not Len Goodman lovingly quotes his grandmother calling the curry” foreign dirt “and that’s why he’s nervous about it now. That’s in the BBC Jubilee report. ”
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One user suggested that Goodman should refresh his story.
She said: “Someone has to tell Len Goodman that Coronation chicken is a British recipe created for the coronation by two English chefs. It is based on a dish created for George V in 1935 called Jubilee Chicken. Curry has been part of our national diet for more than 200 years.
“It makes you wonder if Len Goodman ever ate pasta or something bought at a pastry shop. And no, he doesn’t just tell us what his grandmother said, he tells us why he never tried anything. At no point did he leave: “Wait, ‘foreign’ doesn’t mean something is ‘dirty’.”
Some have suggested that Goodman himself participated in a BBC program with Ainsley Harriet seven years ago in which he toured the United Kingdom in an attempt to “educate his palate.”
Strange how Len Goodman still insists on this line 7 years after literally doing a show with Ainsley Harriet, who toured and tasted “foreign dirt”
Ffs. #Jubilee pic.twitter.com/iaHkF7ofCQ
– Ginger Pirlo @ (@TheGingerPirlo_) June 5, 2022
Another added: “Len Goodman demonstrates another ‘British tradition’ of accidental racism and everyone laughed! Arrogance and perceived superiority over other nations are truly disgusting! He must apologize! ”
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After Goodman’s comments, fellow guest Torode said it was “interesting, wasn’t it,” adding that his own grandmother would never use curry powder and wouldn’t know what pasta was.
Host Young replied, “Changed days. Changed days.”
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