Dane Baptiste reported to police after ‘loss of life threats’ to Jewish comedian
Celebrity comedian Dane Baptiste has been reported to police after apparently making death threats to a fellow performer.
Cops were called on comedian Baptiste, 42, over the threatening Instagram post about an unnamed Jewish woman who he claimed to be ‘stalking’ his family online.
Baptiste – who previously hosted Live at the Apollo – posted: ‘I want you to sit down with your husband and kids and imagine what their lives will be without you, b/c north London is a quick trip to make and a Think Tank will have to be an actual tank to keep you safe from me.
‘Ask about and comedians will tell you I will be at your literal doorstep. Your agent won’t keep you safe. And I’ll sit in prison while your family sit at the cemetery.
‘First and last warning. Your act is dumb but don’t be a dumb woman. For your own safety.’
Cops were called on comedian Dane Baptiste (pictured) over the threatening Instagram post about an unnamed Jewish woman who he claimed to be ‘stalking’ his family online
Dane Baptiste (pictured) previously hosted Live at the Apollo and has starred on 8 Out of 10 Cats
He later deleted the threat but police are understood to be investigating.
The Jewish comic he targeted, who wishes to remain anonymous, declined to comment.
Baptiste has been condemned by a number of fellow comedians.
Josh Howie tweeted: ‘I’ve known and liked Dane Baptiste a long time. I’m also a fan of his comedy. So I’ve somewhat held back as he’s descended down the rabbit hole of Jew hatred. But this is the end point – openly threatening Jewish, I mean ‘Zionist’, women. The priority now is this woman’s safety.’
Lee Kern said it was ‘the most chilling, sincere and credible death threat against a Jewish woman. This has to be dealt with in the most serious manner possible.’
Marcus Brigstocke added: ‘The threat made by Dane Baptiste against a woman on IG wasn’t vague & cannot be justified. It was targeted & dangerous. Driven (imo) by antisemitism & misogyny. I refuse to look the other way & stay silent while only Jewish friends speak up. Hatred & racism like this has to end.’
In 2014, Baptiste became the first black Briton to be nominated for best newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards – and the following year made his own BBC sitcom Sunny D. He also piloted the sketch show Bamous for the broadcaster in 2021. His other TV credits include Live At The Apollo and Richard Osman’s House Of Games.
The comedian later apologised for his remarks which he blamed on a ‘massive error of judgement’.
Dane Baptiste (pictured) later deleted the threat but police are understood to be investigating
Dane Baptiste (pictured) has been condemned by a number of fellow comedians.
He said: ‘In the recent past, I have received a number of threatening and abusive messages from accounts accusing me of antisemitism for having pro Palestinian views. I have a new family and my partner made me aware that some of the same people were monitoring her Instagram account.
‘In a massive error of judgement, I posted an excessive and impulsive response, hoping to dissuade anybody monitoring my family. I made a point to say Zionist and not Jewish, but I appreciate how disturbing, threatening and incendiary that language is, I would categorically state I have no ill intention towards the Jewish community and never have.
‘I have a loving family of which I am massively protective; I reacted poorly and emotionally to a perceived threat with no considered thought to the consequences, and I apologise profusely for my actions to the Jewish community, my colleagues and my fans.’
