One of Darren Lumsden's tattoos is the number 88, which can symbolize 'heil Hitler.' Cecilia Lenzen IRL Posted on Oct 21, 2020 Updated on Oct 21, 2020, 2:45 pm CDT The Sky History channel. Lee then jokes: "I'm not going to lie to you Darren, if you were the bloke in my town, you wouldn't be known as The Woodman. Englands Ollie Chessum dives in to score his sides second try during the Guinness Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium, London, Sam Smith arrives for the Brit Awards ceremony, A robin redbreast takes flight in Dublins botanic gardens. There was a problem. The number 88 is displayed prominently on his right cheek, which is often used as a numerical code for Heil Hitler, with H as the eighth letter in the alphabet. Sky said the symbolism was entirely incidental, adding that amongst the various numerical tattoos on Mr Lumsdens body, the number 88 etched onto his cheek represents the yea 1988, the year of his fathers death. The father of Sky History's The Chop contestant Darren Lumsden today declared 'I'm alive' after the channel claimed he was dead to defend his sons Nazi-style tattoos. In this video I am out in the field near Olivet Michigan as a local farm is making hay. 'When some people first meet me they are a bit shocked, admittedly. 'If Sky HISTORY is indeed 'intolerant of racism' as it claims, then it must urgently provide a credible clarification or remove the contestant from the programme.'. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Im here arent I? The Chop: Britains Top Woodworker has drawn comparisons with The Great British Bake Off and sees 10 of Britains best carpenters, carvers and woodworkers compete on a series of tasks overseen by comedian Lee Mack and presenter Rick Edwards. The participant, Darren Lumsden, has the number 88 tattooed on his cheek. A spokesperson for the group said: 'Sky HISTORY has made a terrible mistake by including in 'The Chop' an individual adorned with what appear to be neo-Nazi tattoos without providing serious evidence to show that the tattoos mean something other than how they appear. 'Sky HISTORY is intolerant of racism and all forms of hatred and any use of symbols or numbers is entirely incidental and not meant to cause harm or offence. 2023 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. Here's . Darren's father has short term memory loss after a serious motorbike crash more than 30 years ago. , updated Two of these runes is used by neo-Nazis to signify the SS and are often confused for lightning bolts. Since 8 is the eighth letter of the alphabet, it is considered a numerical code for the phrase "Heil Hitler," used by white supremacists. By We want to hear from you! Twitter users seized on the clip, pointing out the tattoo and its meaning. Lee cracks jokes about Darren's tattoos, which cover most of his face. Teachers hold placards as they shout slogans while taking part in a protest organised in Manchester as part of a national strike day. All issues, problems and concerns identified in relation to Darren Lumsdens tattoos during production were fully reported up to AETN UK, and the broadcasters directives and instructions in response were closely followed. ', He continued: 'There's also:1/11 = AK = Aryan Knights 3/11 = 3 K = KKK 109 = the claim that Jews have been expelled from 109 nations throughout history, sometimes coupled with 110 = in the hope that the US will be the next one.'. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Mr Lumsden, who grew up in Frenchay, told Bristol Live in an interview published ahead of the shows first episode on 15 October that he started started to work with his tattooist on his look 10 years ago after seeing someone with facial tattoos. "Why are they saying I'm dead? Sky said Darren Lumsden's face inking of the number 88 was in memory of the year his late father Trevor lost his life - and nothing to do with a code, fashioned around the numerical order of letters in the alphabet, meaning Heil Hitler. The champion's prize would have been the chance to stage their own exhibition at the prestigious William Morris Gallery in London. with the same logo. A contestants tattoos included symbols that could be connected to far-right ideologies and could cause offence; we sincerely apologise for that and we are sorry that our processes did not prompt further investigation at an earlier stage. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. View the profiles of people named Darren Lumsden. Darren Lumsden, take your top off. 'But if they are saying I'm dead I'd like them to know I'm not.'. "Darren's tattoos denote significant events in his life and have no political or ideological meaning whatsoever. The Chop is a Great British Bake Off-style format, in which 10 contestants will gather in Epping Forest and aim to whittle, carve and chop their way to success, with their creations furnishing a lavish cabin in the woods. Twitter user and writer Dawn Foster revealed that "very basic research throws up the fact that his father was on the electoral roll at a Bristol address from 2002-11 despite allegedly dying in 1988." Sky History stands against racism and hate speech of all kinds, they added in a statement. For a channel that's supposed to know its history, they were quite easily fooled by Lumsden's excuses for his tattoos. Sky HISTORY stands against racism & hate speech of all kinds, the tweet said. During Lee Mack's interview Mr Lumsden he commented on the amount of ink on the carpenter's face after he introduced himself as 'The Woodman'. and The father-of-two, from Bristol is one of ten contestants on the now axed show, which was due to start on Thursday, and is filmed in Epping Forest. Mr Lumsden has a heavily tattooed face that includes an '88' on his cheek. Tom Bedford Sky HISTORY stands against racism & hate speech of all kinds. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? So I turn up and say, 'I am The Woodman.". Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA. 'But hopefully it will come across on the show that I'm a bit of a character.'. Earlier this month, a clip from The Chop: Britain's Top Woodworker went viral, due to contestant Darren Lumsden's tattoos. Another says '23/16', reportedly numerical code for 'white power'. Depending on how long Lumsden lasted in the competition during production, which had a similar format to Great British Bake-Off (which itself could not be stopped even by the COVID-19 pandemic), it might be possible to edit around him and still air the season. Im alive and kicking so Im not dead yet., Trevor, who lives in Bristol the same city Darren lives in told the newspaper he did not know about his sons tattoos or that he was appearing on television, but added: But if they are saying Im dead Id like them to know Im not.. In a Great British Bake Off-style format, 10 contestants gathered in Epping Forest and aim to whittle, carve and chop their way to success, with their creations furnishing a lavish cabin in the woods. I'm alive and kicking so I'm not dead yet.'. No one went on the show to become famous. Speaking to The Bristol Post on October 15, Mr Lumsden said: 'About 10 years ago I saw someone with facial tattoos and started to work with my tattooist on my look. Now that the independent investigation into Darren Lumsdens tattoos has concluded, no further comment will be made from Big Wheel Film & Television in relation to this matter.. The UK's History Channel has suspended broadcasting of its new show The Chop: Britain's Top Woodworker after viewers pointed out that one of the contestants had neo-Nazi tattoos on his face. The production team carried out extensive background checks on all the woodworkers taking part in the show, that confirmed Darren has no affiliations or links to racist groups, views or comments. Sky History had no further comment and added they were investigating. A+E Networks UK took The Chop off-air last week pending an investigation into Darren Lumsdens ink. The bloke has Nazi tattoos on his face ffs.'. The Campaign Against Antisemitism expressed concern about the tattoos. Sky. 'The production team carried out extensive background checks on all the woodworkers taking part in the show, that confirmed Darren has no affiliations or links to racist groups, views or comments. The Rt Reverend Glyn Webster lights a candle in front of the newly restored Lady Chapel East Window at All Saints North Street in York, one of thirteen stained glass windows from the church undergoing conservation work at Barley Studio, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) general secretary Pat Cullen on the picket line outside Great Ormond Street Hospital in London during a strike by nurses and ambulance staff, Britains former prime minister Liz Truss leaves her home on February 5, 2023 in London, England. Big Wheel Film & Television acted professionally, appropriately and in good faith throughout the making of The Chop, following robust due diligence and duty of care processes from casting through to delivery, a spokesman said. Darren McLeod Student at Olivet College Olivet, Michigan, United States. Sky History is intolerant of racism and all forms of hatred and any use of symbols or numbers is entirely incidental and not meant to cause harm or offence.. 'There is no further comment to make at this stage. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. The Chop is hosted by comedian Lee Mack, TV presenter Rick Edwards and master carpenter William Hardie. , updated Sky later said the clip had been pulled and future episodes of The Chop would not be broadcast until the nature and meaning of Darrens tattoos have been fully investigated. He tweeted: 'I spend a lot of time on white supremacy forums online, and they have dozens of really idiotic numerical codes, most of which are substitution ciphers that a 7 year old would come up with. Cecilia Lenzen is a freelance writer for the Daily Dot. Sky History addressed the concerns on Twitter, stating that Lumsden was properly vetted and that his tattoos carry deeply personal meanings. A spokesperson for Sky History told The Independent the channel has no further comment while the investigation is underway. The Chop: Britains Top Woodworker, hosted by Rick Edwards and comedian Lee Mack, features 10 of the countrys best carpenters, carvers and woodworkers competing in a series of tasks. Find Me Here. UPDATE: A+E Networks UK has decided to take Sky History reality competition series The Chop off-air amid claims that contestant, Darren Lumsden, has white supremacist tattoos on his face. and Ive never had a negative reaction to my tattoos. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Known as The Woodman, Lumsden has the number 88 clearly inked on his cheek, which is white supremacist numerical code for Heil Hitler. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. A promotional video for the series was posted to Sky Historys Twitter feed on Monday, introducing one of its participants, Darren Lumsden a bespoke joiner from Bristol. All of the problematic tattoos are on Lumsdens face, and some viewers pointed out that he always appears in clothing that covers his arms and legs on the show. The first episode premiered on October 15, after viewers had already spotted the dubious tattoos. Deadline understands that producers at Big Wheel Film & Television and Motion Content Group spoke to Lumsden about the tattoo during production, while A+E Networks UK programming bosses had a subsequent conversation with the participant to interrogate the matter. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. PREVIOUS: Sky History, the joint-venture UK television channel run by A+E Networks UK and Comcast-owned Sky, has defended a contestant on its new reality competition series The Chop after Twitter users accused him of having Nazi tattoos emblazoned on his face. They said the number 88 in white nationalist or neo -Nazi circles can be used as a code to represent 'Heil Hitler', because 'H' is the 8th letter of the alphabet. The number 88 is tattooed on his right cheek. A spokesperson for the group said: 'Sky HISTORY has made a terrible mistake by including in "The Chop" an individual adorned with what appear to be neo-Nazi tattoos without providing serious evidence to show that the tattoos mean something other than how they appear. A&E Networks UK, which owns Sky History, previously stated that the numbers actually represented the year of Lumsden's father's death in 1988. Sky History regularly features documentaries on the Second World War, such as Hitler's Gold and Hitler's Last Secrets. https://t.co/OlwYEARnLy. And viewers didnt like what they saw. However, the channel responded today saying '1988 is the year of his fathers death' and that the tattoos 'have no political or ideological meaning'. Sky History has defended a contestant on their new show The Chop after claims he has 'Nazi tattoos' on his face. British geneticist and author of How To Argue With A Racist,Dr Adam Rutherford, confirmed that he had spotted several other numerical tattoos that were likely to bewhite supremacy symbols. The carpenter has denied any association with far-right groups and said the 88 symbolizes the year of his fathers death. Sky History's claims that 88 represented Lumsden's father's year of death were quickly debunked. His support worker, who didn't want to be named, said: 'I've never seen either of them and I've been looking after him for 10 years. Sky HISTORY stands against racism and hate speech of all kinds.. Sky History pulled series last week pending an investigation into complaints about Darren Lumsdens alleged Nazi body art. "You'd be the bloke with all the tattoos. He also has the word "homegrown" tattooed on his upper lip, which is a common white supremacist and anti-immigrant phrase in the UK. ', They later added: 'While we investigate the nature & meaning of Darren's tattoos we have removed the video featuring him from our social media, & will not be broadcasting any eps of The Chop until we have concluded that investigation. But Mr Lumsden's father, 66-year-old Trevor Lumsden, has told the Daily Mail he was indeed alive and had not seen his son for some years. Neo-Nazis use two of these runes to signify the SS. Posted on Oct 21, 2020Updated on Oct 21, 2020, 2:45 pm CDT. Please refresh the page and try again. Viewers of the show took to Twitter to point out the number is also a code used by white supremacists to mean Heil Hitler. Facebook gives people the power. His scalp also appears to be emblazoned with the number 14, which the ADL says is often used as shorthand for the 14 Words the most popular white supremacist slogan in the world, coined by far-right terrorist David Lane. ', The comments below have not been moderated, By Ok, a quick thread on white supremacy symbols I spend a lot of time on white supremacy forums online, and they have dozens of really idiotic numerical codes, most of which are substitution ciphers that a 7 year old would come up with. The production team carried out extensive background checks on all the woodworkers taking part in the show, that confirmed Darren has no affiliations or links to racist groups, views or comments. Viewers also spotted a number of other potential white supremacy symbols on Darren's skin, including23 and 16 inked at his temples, allegedly representing the numerical equivalent of 'white power'. Darren Lumsden said the 88 tattoo on his cheek - which is white supremacist code for 'Heil Hitler' - was actually a reference to the year his dad died. In an official statement, Sky History said, "The production team carried out extensive background checks on all the woodworkers taking part in the show, that confirmed Darren has no affiliations or links to racist groups, views or comments. On either side of his temples are the letters 23 and 16, which stand for "white power" (with "w" being the 23rd letter of the alphabet and "p" being the 16th.) The Sky History Channel is finally investigating contestant Darren Lumsden's neo-Nazi tattoos, but only after serious pushback from viewers. In a. Now, Sky History has taken down all images and promos that include "The Woodman"and stopped airing episodes. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA.