BBC radio host Danny Baker was fired after he posted a photo to Twitter of man and a woman holding the hand of a dapperly-dressed chimp and captioned it, “Royal baby leaves the hospital”:

Just got fired from @bbc5live.

For the record – it was red sauce. Always. — Danny Baker (@prodnose) May 9, 2019

Here’s the photo:

Outrageous tweet by a #DannyBaker who definitely knew better. How can we educate the masses on what is offensive and unacceptable anymore when those who have a strong platform like @prodnose use it to promote their bigoted, outdated and racist views! #prodnoseroyalbaby pic.twitter.com/lVOB0kf5Zh — aisha ali-khan ?????? (@aak1880) May 9, 2019

He apologized and deleted the photo shortly after he posted it, but the damage was already done:

Sorry my gag pic of the little fella in the posh outfit has whipped some up. Never occurred to me because, well, mind not diseased. Soon as those good enough to point out it's possible connotations got in touch, down it came. And that's it. Now stand by for sweary football tweets — Danny Baker (@prodnose) May 8, 2019

Baker is now firing back at the BBC, calling his removal “a masterclass of pompous faux-gravity”:

The call to fire me from @bbc5live was a masterclass of pompous faux-gravity. Took a tone that said I actually meant that ridiculous tweet and the BBC must uphold blah blah blah. Literally threw me under the bus. Could hear the suits knees knocking. #Fuckem — Danny Baker (@prodnose) May 9, 2019

Is there any history of past bad behavior on Baker’s part? Because this seems harsh:

All I'll say is: when it comes to trying to be funny, everyone makes mistakes. All I know is that Danny Baker @prodnose is a great broadcaster, a fine writer and one of the most decent & delightful guys in the business. I'm honoured to know him. — Gyles Brandreth (@GylesB1) May 9, 2019

Intent no longer matters in 2019:

This is predictably idiotic by the BBC. @prodnose made a mistake, a silly and crass mistake, but having listened to him for decades, I don't believe for a second that any racist slur was intended. https://t.co/H9HZQOiwoN — Barry Collins (@bazzacollins) May 9, 2019

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Related:

Piers Morgan thinks Archie Harrison, the Royal Baby name, is a 'striking blow for diversity & feminism' https://t.co/wCKnW7sXXc — Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) May 8, 2019