Richard Madeley apologises for using wrong pronouns for Sam Smith
The TV presenter used the wrong gender pronouns several times during a discussion about the singer.
Richard Madeley has apologised for using the wrong gender pronouns to refer to Sam Smith.
The Good Morning Britain host was discussing the non-binary singer's controversial new music video I'm Not Here To Make Friends when he had to be corrected by co-host Susanna Reid several times.
Madeley, 66, described a scene from the video saying, "A shot of him, Sam, simulating a very specific act with a scantily clad drag queen."
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Reid reminded him: "Remember that Sam Smith uses the pronouns 'they'.
Madeley replied: "They, yes sorry."
He then introduced non-binary panelist Shivani Dave and misgendered them too.
Reid interrupted: "Shivani identifies as they/them."
Madeley apologised: "Oh I’m sorry I will learn to do that."
Smith, 30, shared in 2019 that they are non-binary and use they/them pronouns.
Watch: Sam Smith says getting hate for changing pronouns was 'exhausting'
Their new music video has caused a stir after being branded "over-sexualised" by some critics.
Smith dances in the video wearing nipple pasties, a tiara and a bejewelled corset.
Panelists on GMB argued that similar content from female singers such as Madonna and Miley Cyrus, had not received the same level of outrage.
Describing some of the actions in the video Madeley said: "I'm not going to read that out, we'll get sued."
Smith recently revealed they had been spat at in the street since coming out as non-binary.
They said: “I’m being abused in the street, verbally, more than I ever have. So that was the hardest part, was being at home in the UK and having people shout at me in the street.
“Someone spat at me in the street. It’s crazy.”
The Stay With Me singer said that speaking out about their pronouns had not caused “one negative” in their personal life.
“My family can communicate with me, they always did, but they communicate with me now in an even better way,” they said.
Read more: Sam Smith declares ‘I am enough’
The star went on: “My love life has become better from it, I feel lovable, I feel comfortable in my skin.”
