Jim Davidson storms out of racism debate with Ashley Banjo over BLM

Jim Davidson walked out of a discussion about racism with Ashley Banjo telling him to "stick to dancing".

The Britain’s Got Talent judge sat down with the 67-year-old comedian as part of his ITV documentary Ashley Banjo: Britain In Black And White, to discuss a video Davidson posted on YouTube in reaction to Diversity’s Black Lives Matter-themed dance routine.

Banjo, 33, told Davidson: "As far as I’m concerned, that video you made… It was racist in every single way.

"It was personal and racist. I’m from this country, I love this country, I’m from a mixed race background."

Davidson replied: "You should know that I believe the outcome from that dance is more than your wildest dreams.

Read more: 'Ashley Banjo: Britain In Black And White': the story behind Diversity's BLM dance

"People in this country who are frightened, old white people if you like, like me, are thinking there’s riots going on in Brixton, in south-east London where I grew up, there’s stuff going on in America that’s very unsavoury, everyone’s frightened.

"You diffused that. People are supporting you of all different races, I support Black Lives Matter (BLM), I don’t support Black Lives Matter the movement, I support the statement. You’ve won me over."

The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant told Banjo his issue with the dance – inspired by the death of George Floyd – was that it was "‘on a light entertainment show on a Saturday night".

Davidson went on: "You did a dance about a crime, a terrible crime, but ignored all the other crimes that are committed by Black people because even to report it seems racist."

Banjo replied: "No, what's racist is when you use their skin colour as a reason for crime. Why was his colour relevant?"

When Banjo said, "We're going to move on," Davidson responded, "Oh Jesus! This is f***ing crazy."

The former game show host then began to take off his microphone and called Banjo, "George."

He added: "Beg your pardon it's on my mind at the moment."

Banjo asked: "Let's finish talking about this." But Davidson responded: "No. This is a no win. Ashley - stick to dancing, you're brilliant."

Banjo told the camera: "I am disappointed because it was an opportunity for us to sit and really engage in a discussion."

Diversity's dance, which aired on Saturday night entertainment show BGT in September 2020, included a moment when lead dancer Banjo lay beneath a figure in police uniform who placed his knee on Banjo’s neck.

It went on to become the most complained about TV show of the year, as well as winning a Bafta award for must see moment, voted for by the public.

Davison had called the routine was “the most indulgent piece of stuff I’ve seen in ages”.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the comic claimed Diversity didn’t “give a f***” about Floyd but wanted to be famous, saying it was “ridiculous”.

Floyd died aged 46 after a white Minneapolis police officer was seen pinning him to the ground by kneeling on his neck as he pleaded for air.

Read more: Jim Davidson claims theatre has axed his shows over Diversity dance comments

Officer Derek Chauvin has now been found guilty of manslaughter and both second and third-degree murder.

Following Floyd’s death, anti-racism protests were held around the world.