'Dumb words from a dumb man'

A New Zealand comedian has made an emotive apology after saying that people with HIV were ‘expendable – like Jews’.

David Fane said he wasn’t making any excuses for what he said, adding: ‘They were dumb words said by a dumb man.’

Addressing an audience of advertising bosses, at a comedy ‘roast’, Fane said: ‘I want to eat you, but I won't because I don't want to get HIV.

‘Would you roast an HIV person? You'd roast them because they're expendable, like the Jews. Hitler had a right, you know.’

Facing an backlash from Jewish groups and HIV charities, Fane seemed to choke back the tears as he apologised on TV.

He said: ‘The nature of roasts is that they are brutal, and I just went somewhere and I’m not sayign that was a good place to go, it was a stupid, stupid mistake on my behalf and I’m so sorry. What an arsehole, eh?’

‘I just want to say how deeply sorry I am for my comments and the people I have offended.’

Someone pretending to be Fane also spoke to the media announce his resignation from his jobs on New Zealand’s TV3 and The Radio Network – but the statement has since been revealed as fake.

Fane, 43, is part of the Naked Samoans comedy troupe and hosts a breakfast radio show. He appears on New Zealand comedy show Radiradirah, alongside Flight Of The Conchords star Rhys Darby, and Outrageous Fortune.

Watch the full apology here.

Published: 27 Jun 2010