Black comedian sent picture of Richard Blackwood as his press photo

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 14d

Black comedian Dane Baptiste reveals that he was sent a picture of Richard Blackwood to approve as his own press shot.

Black comedian Dane Baptiste has claimed that he was emailed press shots of himself to approve for a new TV show but was stunned to find a picture of Richard Blackwood attached.

The 38-year-old did not name the TV show or the production company involved in sending the picture of Hollyoaks actor Blackwood.

Posting a copy of the photo on Twitter, Baptiste wrote: "This just in: Tv production company just sent me press shots of myself to approve before they start the press run. This is the picture the sent ME of ME.

"I swear on my mother's soul they sent it. #DiversityandInclusion indeed #BlackLivesMatter"

This just in:

Tv production company just sent me press shots of myself to approve before they start the press run. This is the picture the sent ME of ME.

I swear on my mother's soul they sent it. #DiversityandInclusion indeed #BlackLivesMatter 😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄 pic.twitter.com/shOyvRiEOH
— Dane Baptiste/A$ap BAP 🤡👊🏾♥️👨🏾‍🚀🌍 (@DaneBaptweets) July 13, 2020

In a follow-up message, he added: "This is not funny, but I swear by all that is divine That this isn't a joke. This is why representation matters.

"B/C if you've only seen Richard and Lenny [Henry] over 40 years, how would you know? British comedy industry; give me my respect. It's embarrassing now."

Baptiste is known for creating and starring in the BBC Three comedy Sunny and recently appeared as one of the performers on the BBC's The Big Night In telethon.