Comic Relief loses £8m in wake of row over ‘white saviour’ celebs

RED Nose Day has seen an £8million funding slump after the row over “white saviour” celebs, it has emerged.

Comic Relief has raised £63million this year – down from more than £71million at this stage last time around.

The collapse in funding came after Labour MP David Lammy criticised the charity for using white stars as its figureheads.

The MP has sparked a furious backlash over his comments aimed at filmmaker Stacey Dooley.

By the end of Friday night’s Red Nose Day showcase, takings were down £8million on the equivalent stage in 2017.

The total revenues are on course to be the lowest for more than a decade.

In the run-up to Red Nose Day, Mr Lammy hit out at Ms Dooley as she posted a picture of herself while filming in Uganda.

He blasted: “The world does not need any more white saviours.”

Comic Relief defended its track record of bringing in millions to help disadvantaged people around the world.

But after this year’s funding shortfall, Mr Lammy was criticised for his comments.

Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, tweeted: “I notice David Lammy wisely keeping quiet while the UK celebrates Comic Relief #rednoseday raising millions.”

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