Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Entertainment
Claire O'Boyle

Eastenders star Jake Wood says most red heads have grown up with "abuse"

He's one of the most well-known faces on TV, and actor Jake Wood has spoken about in defence of red heads.

The actor, who plays Max Branning in the BBC's Eastenders , told Good Morning Britain he had heard from people who suffer low confidence because of

Speaking to presenters Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway, Jake, 47, said: "I think there's always a fine line with banter. I don't mind fellow redheads taking the Mickey, but there is a fine line.

“Probably 60 or 70 percent of redheaded people have grown up with this sort of abuse and you either suck it up and that makes you into the character you are, but as we’re seeing from people who are getting in touch, people have been suicidal, they’ve complained about their kids at school being bullied, they want to dye their hair.

“Someone tweeted me who’s dyed their hair since they were a kid and still continue to dye it, and they still suffer from confidence issues.”

He added: “So I think bullying, discrimination, prejudice, there’s never any justification for them in any area. And for me, growing up ginger and all my life having these experiences, I think is a very important subject.”

The ITV interview came after the actor hit out as he shared a video by BBC The Social that made a joke of redheaded people avoiding or covering up in the sunshine.

He called the clip, which featured ginger comedian and actress Natasha Erskine, "bulls***" before saying he'd be "happy to lead the army" against the trolling.

In a tweet, the actor wrote: "Bulls***. I’m calling this out. Why is it socially acceptable to take the piss out of someone for the colour of their hair and not for the colour of their skin?!

He continued: "All gingers have experienced being teased and bullied. I’m not even joking @GingerParrotUK I’m happy to lead the army."

Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.             

Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.       

Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.