Strictly star's new show pulled from TV schedule after German Christmas market attack
Comedian Susan Calman has revealed that her upcoming special, where she delves into festive activities in Germany, has been removed from Channel 5’s line-up following the "horrific events" at a Christmas market in Magdeburg. The tragic incident saw five people lose their lives, including a nine-year-old boy, and left 200 injured when a man drove his car at high speed through the market last Friday.
The Scottish comic and presenter, who took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, shared that they had "deeply thought" about whether to still air Christmas Cruising With Susan Calman on Friday, and decided to show her Lapland cruise from the previous year instead. "I wanted to let you know something that’s been deeply thought about," she wrote on Instagram, alongside a snap of her strolling in a snow-dusted forest.
She continued, "In light of the horrific events at the Christmas Market in Germany, Christmas Cruising won’t be broadcast on Dec 27. Last year’s Lapland cruise will be shown. Sending love to those affected by the tragedy."
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend flooded with support after sharing emotional Christmas message
READ MORE: Rugby legend dies aged 73 after secret battle with motor neurone disease
According to the programme synopsis, Susan was filmed immersing herself in the Christmas spirit on a festive cruise in Germany along the Main and Rhine rivers. It stated that every stop on the cruise "promises a picture-perfect scene from a Christmas card".
Since the attack, many flowers and candles have been laid near the market. A 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and bodily harm in connection with the attack. According to reports, he arrived in Germany in 2006 but "does not fit the usual profile of perpetrators of extremist attacks", according to PA.
In his poignant Christmas Day speech, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier reflected on the harrowing attack, remarking that "there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg".
The incident also prompted other world leaders to reassure their own residents, including Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, who said: "The events in Magdeburg are absolutely heartbreaking and I have expressed the sympathy and the condolences of the people of Scotland to the Saxon-Anhalt Government as a consequence of this atrocity.
“It’s really important that everybody feels safe when they are undertaking all of their activities in life, but particularly when they are attending some of these very precious Christmas events within our community.
“Police Scotland has very active engagement with all of the organisers of these events to make sure that public safety and public security are uppermost in all of the preparations that are made for these events and that is the case in all circumstances in these events across Scotland.”
