Anne-Marie has taken to social media to issue a mortified apology after she appeared in a television sketch in which Ant & Dec wore headbands displaying Japan’s Rising Sun flag.
The singer, 28, appeared on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway last night, during which the two hosts wore headbands which included the controversial symbol.
There were recently calls to ban the flag, which was adopted as the naval ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy in the 19th century, from the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
South Korea’s sports ministry made the request to the International Olympic Committee last September, claiming the flag defies the peaceful spirit of the Olympics as it is a symbol of Japan’s imperialist past.
Anne-Marie has taken to social media to issue a mortified apology after she appeared in a television sketch in which Ant & Dec wore headbands displaying Japan’s Rising Sun flag
Anne-Marie took to Twitter on Sunday to apologise to her 679,000 followers for the use of the symbol.
‘I sincerely apologise to all those who were affected and hurt by my appearance last night on a UK TV [show],’ she said.
‘I want you to know that I had nothing to do with the costumes on this sketch.
‘Unfortunately education on this part of the history wasn’t done and I am also hurt by the pain this signifies for so many people.
‘I am truly sorry and I promise you that this will not happen again.
‘Our team is talking to the TV station, working on taking down the footage so that it does not cause any more pain [sic].’
The singer, 28, appeared on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway last night, during which the two hosts wore headbands which included images of the controversial flag
There were recently calls to ban the flag, which was adopted as the symbol of the Imperial Japanese Navy in the 19th century, from the upcoming Tokyo Olympics
South Korea’s sports ministry made the request to the International Olympic Committee last September, claiming the flag defies the peaceful spirit of the Olympics
‘Truly sorry!’ Anne Marie insisted ‘I am also hurt by the pain this signifies for so many people’
ITV told MailOnline: ‘We apologise for any offence caused during the End of the Show Show by the costumes worn.
‘This was clearly unintended and we have taken steps to re-edit that part of the episode for the Hub and for repeat broadcasts.’
MailOnline has contacted Ofcom regarding the sketch.
It said the show had received several complaints, none of which relating to the sketch with Anne Marie.
Taking to Twitter, one viewer said: ‘Thank you for apologising for that, and I’m glad you mentioned it without condoning it.
‘I hope this never happens again. From Korean fans cheering for Anne-Marie Smiling face with smiling eyes [sic].’
A third typed: ‘The rising sun flag signifies the most painful era of Korean history during WWII, and I am thankful that you addressed the problem quickly. Love you as always xxx [sic].’
‘I fully understand your mind. I wish you are OK. And I hope to see you in Korea soon. Take care of your health and love you xx [sic],’ wrote another.
The Rising Sun flag is currently flown by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and was originally used by feudal warlords in Japan during the Edo Period.
Mortified: ‘Unfortunately education on this part of the history wasn’t done and I am also hurt by the pain this signifies for so many people,’ Anne-Marie wrote (Pictured at last month’s BRITS)
It was then adopted as the war flag of the Imperial Japanese Army in 1870 under the Meiji Government.
But it’s not the first time the presenting duo have faced backlash for their sketches on the show.
In 2004 they impersonated two young Japanese girls that were obsessed with Coronation Street.
The pair donned prosthetics to become Suki and Keiko and also used exaggerated Japanese accents for the sketch.
This is while in 2003 the pair wore blackface as they impersonated two Jamaican women.
They dressed at Patty and Bernice to prank the cast of Emmerdale.
Apology accepted: Fans rushed to thank Anne-Marie for explaining the error
Ant and Dec’s controversial Saturday Night Takeaway sketches
Using the Rising Sun flag on Saturday wasn’t the first time the presenting duo have pushed the boundaries with their sketches.
In 2003 the pair went under extensive makeup in order to complete one of their Ant and Dec undercover sketches.
In order to prank the cast of Emmerdale, the pair transformed into two Jamaican women where they donned blackface.
Ant and Dec made up as the Lilt Ladies for the Ant & Dec undercover strand (pictured above in 2003)
Dressing as Patty and Bernice, they also used exaggerated accents.
They played extras during a scene at the Woolpack.
Then just a year later in 2004 they also transformed into two young Japanese women to prank to Coronation Street cast.
For the sketch they became ‘Suki and Keiko’ and again used exaggerated accents.
Ant and Dec dress as Suki and Keiko for a segment of Saturday Night Takeaway in 2004