RTE star Ryan Tubridy didn't hold back this morning, blasting the "unforgivable" cruelty of people in Ireland who subject talented musicians to racist abuse online.
On his daily radio show, Tubs hailed Denise Chaila, the Limerick rapper whose hit single 'Chaila' has been nominated for the RTE Choice Music awards.
But he reserved some harsh words for racist online trolls after reading out a string of tweets from the 26-year-old Denise – who said she'd asked RTE not to tag her in a publicity tweet because of the racist abuse she would receive.
Viewers were quick to question RTE after it tagged the other nine shortlisted acts – including Gavin James, Niall Horan and Picture This – but not Denise.
But the Zambian-born wordsmith tweeted: "Hey! Thank you for wanting to defend me, but it’s fine that RTE aren’t tagging this account in their posts.
"I’ve asked them not to. I need space from racism while celebrating my music once in a while. And I’m enjoying figuring out these boundaries. Love you family!"
An incensed Tubridy raged: "I think it's really, really grim. And I think it's really sad. And it's unfair, and it's cruel.
"And it just reflects so badly on the people who send nasty things to talented people like her.
"And that she's had to ask RTE not to tag, because people are so horrible. This is unforgivable cruelty.
There's nothing right about being racist – nothing.
"What part of you thinks: 'Ah, I was only... Ah sure, it's grand. Ah sure, she's famous she won't mind.' What part of you thinks it's cool?
"Honest to goodness. That's just a pity. It's just a sidebar from the Choice Music thing. I thought we would be able to move a little bit further."
Tubridy has shared some serious anecdotes on his radio show this week – including the heartbreaking story of a woman left in tears after being repeatedly stopped at Garda checkpoints.
