I have had an inexplicable fondness for Danny Dyer for quite some time.  His “London geezer” attitude and cockney slang charmed me, and after seeing him on “Celebrity Mr. and Mrs.” or whatever that ITV show is called I thought he seemed like a decent husband.  Then I read this in today’s Guardian:

Celebrity agony uncle Danny Dyer has told Zoo magazine readers that a heartbroken boyfriend should “cut his ex’s face, so no one will want her”.

Dyer’s reply was published in the latest edition of lads’ weekly Zoo, published by Bauer Media, in reponse to a letter from a 23-year-old reader – “Alex, Manchester” – asking for advice on how to get over his split from his girlfriend.

A Bauer spokeswoman blamed the comment being published on a “regrettable production error” and said Zoo’s editor, Tom Etherington, offered his “apologies unreservedly for any offence the response may have caused”.

The actor and TV presenter said in his Ask Danny column: “You’ve got nothing to worry about, son. I’d suggest going out on a rampage with the boys, getting on the booze and smashing anything that moves. Then, when some bird falls for you, you can turn the tables and break her heart. Of course, the other option is to cut your ex’s face, and then no one will want her.”

The Bauer spokeswoman said: “Due to an extremely regrettable production error, an inappropriate and indefensible response to a letter has appeared in this week’s issue. Zoo editor, Tom Etherington, apologises unreservedly for any offence the response may have caused and has launched an internal enquiry to ensure lessons are learnt.

“Zoo and Danny Dyer condemn any violence against women. A donation will be made to Women’s Aid.”

Here is a photo of the actual column:

I don’t know about you, but I fail to see what kind of “production error” would lead to this being printed, aside from the kind of “production error” that basically entailed several members of Zoo staff failing to see any problem with what was published.  This is so offensive it’s genuinely hard for me to get my head around.  Aside from the obvious issue with joking about cutting a woman’s face, even the suggestion that this guy should go out to find some girl and intentionally break her heart is so INCREDIBLY immature and unreasonable that it hurts me to read.  Zoo Magazine and others of it’s ilk have a lot of answer for.  They are teaching an entire generation of men that women are possessions, there to look good and satisfy them in bed and little else.

If you are a guy with sisters and female friends please think the next time you consider buying a magazine like this.  Would you want your sister to have a guy intentionally break her heart?  To use her for sex?  To treat her like a disposable item?  No.

Louise xoxo