Australian radio host Ash London says she’s “off socials for a bit” after receiving death threats from One Direction fans, following a light-hearted comment she made about former 1D member Louis Tomlinson’s appearance.
The 2DayFM personality felt the wrath of Tomlinson’s fanbase overnight, after jokingly saying the singer had “ratty facial hair” while she introduced a prerecorded interview.
“Just so we’re clear, because I’m a very visual guy, Ash London — he’s the guy with the smaller face with the short brown hair, yeah?” London’s co-host Ash Williams asked before the interview (below) went to air, to which London replied, “Kind of like ratty facial hair.”
“He’s not Harry Styles basically,” added London’s other co-host Ed Kavalee. “He’s the least popular one.”
“But he surprised us all with this solo music,” said London.
The death threats which followed, which Music Feeds has chosen not to publish, were backed by other negative and abusive comments on Twitter:
– ratty facial hair
– smaller face
– not Harry Styles
– quite skinny
– least popular of One Direction@ash_london you guys are disgusting and shouldn't count on our support anymore. I cannot believe that you said such vile things on radio, unprofessional.— morgane ◟̽◞̽ (@IoveIIyIouis) December 11, 2017
"He's not Harry Styles, He's the least popular, He's the one with the ratty facial hair"
He’s Louis Tomlinson, the one with the biggest charity rep, he’s the one with the big heart.
Fuck off, Ash London. ?? pic.twitter.com/Nze6y5jx0i
— ? (@fookintomlinson) December 11, 2017
The utter lack of respect displayed by your co-hosts toward Louis is inexcusable and shameful. Is that how you usually treat your guests? Not introducing their song by name and letting them be belittled and insulted?
— ?⛅??? (@tommogotchi_xs) December 11, 2017
That intro was unprofessional, inaccurate, unnecessary. Cheap lazy shtick. Smacks of pandering. I suspect your "mate" Harry would be v disappointed, as are Louis LEGION of fans. Your losing access to all the boys would be a fitting response. Treat people with kindness, Ash ??
— mynamemeansbee (@thespringybits) December 11, 2017
London eventually switched her Twitter profile to private, but later went public with a statement, saying, “I am a music fan. I love that it brings so much passion out in people.
“This morning on air we had a great interview with Louis. As always — he was a total legend. I loved talking about how far he’s come, his new music and his future which looks so bright.
“We love Louis and will continue supporting him and his new music as we have always done.”
London’s statement somehow made things worse, after Tomlinson replied her tweet and said, “Probs best to stay on private for a bit longer love!”, adding a rude finger emoji.
Probs best to stay on private for a bit longer love !
— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) December 12, 2017
As the death threats and abuse escalated, London released a second statement saying she was going “off socials for a bit”.
“Tough day. A lot of people claiming I said some things which, in reality I simply didn’t,” she said.
“What I can apologise for, is describing the quality of someone’s facial hair in a light hearted chat with my two co-hosts. For that I’m sorry. All the other stuff? Simply not true. Not me.
“I’ll be off socials for a bit — the abuse and threats are a little much for me right now. I won’t go on private because I don’t have anything to hide. In future I’ll do what I always do — stick to the music and leave any mentions of facial hair out of it.”
Others came out in London’s defence, and criticised Tomlinson for allowing his fanbase to abuse her.
Fuck Louis Tomlinson for tweeting that shit and encouraging his fanbase to attack and abuse Ash London like that. What a piece of shit.
— Mitch Feltscheer (@mitchfel) December 12, 2017
.@ash_london is one of the most pure humans in Aus media this is such a gross beat up. Fandoms are supposed to celebrate good not disseminate unnecessary hate.
— Mitch Feltscheer (@mitchfel) December 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/georgiamayjaggr/status/940351477805174790
Hmmm I just had a listen and she said ratty facial hair not rat faced – ratty is a way we describe thin and unkempt hair in Australia – please try and be culturally aware 🙂 it’s an Australian show so they speak to our audience 🙂
— Michael Beveridge (@mickyb273) December 12, 2017
London’s Twitter profile remains public at the time of writing.
You can hear her full interview with Louis Tomlinson, below.
