Kamahl accepts Daryl Somers’ apology amid accusations of racism

Malaysian singer Kamahl says Daryl Somers has to “wear” the criticism over alleged racist taunts on Hey Hey It’s Saturday.

Hey Hey It’s Saturday host Daryl Somers has responded to Kamahl’s complaints about being subjected to racist taunts on the show, saying he “deeply regret any hurt” suffered by the Malaysian singer.

Somers posted a statement on the Hey Hey Facebook page on Wednesday which said:

“I have always considered Kamahl a friend and supporter of the show, so I deeply regret any hurt felt by him as a result of anything that took place on the programme in the past.

Somers added: “Hey Hey It’s Saturday never set out to offend anybody but always strived to provide family entertainment.”

Entertainer Kamahl felt “humiliated” when he appeared on Hey Hey it’s Saturday. Picture: Tim Hunter.

But in an interview with 3AW broadcaster Neil Mitchell on Wednesday, Kamahl said: “I’ve never held (Somers) entirely responsible, but then he’s the chief, and whatever his subordinates do, he has to wear it whether he likes it or not.”

Kamahl accepted and appreciated Somers’ apology, and said he wore the racist taunts in exchange for national TV exposure.

“My philosophy has always been, if you’re in entertainment, and you’re not on television, you are dead,” Kamhal said.

“Hey Hey its Saturday was a landmine, and I trod on it, and occasionally got exploded. I didn’t lose my arm, legs or anything like that, but I lost a bit of dignity. I put my career ahead of my private feelings.”

Kamahl said he was “insulted” and “humiliated” by the barbs.

Somers statement said: “I am currently in the middle of recording Dancing with the Stars: All Stars, but I thought I should acknowledge the recent media commentary regarding historical footage of Hey Hey It’s Saturday that people have understandably found offensive.

“I want to make it very clear that I and all members of the Hey Hey team do not condone racism in any form.

John Farnham, Daryl Somers and Kamahl on Hey Hey It's Saturday.

“I have always considered Kamahl a friend and supporter of the show, so I deeply regret any hurt felt by him as a result of anything that took place on the programme in the past.

“I wholeheartedly support diversity in the Australian entertainment industry and I am committed to continuous learning and development in that regard.”

Somers added: “Hey Hey It’s Saturday never set out to offend anybody but always strived to provide family entertainment.

“I am proud of the fact that it was the longest running comedy/variety programme on Australian television lasting for thirty years.

“I certainly appreciate, however, that in the context of modern society some material from the past is plainly inappropriate, and would not go to air today.”

Kamahl told The Guardian on Saturday that he often felt “humiliated” when appearing on Hey Hey and described the powder puff incident as “quite offensive”.

He said he didn’t realise the show was “going to be a minefield, of sorts” and that he “kept smiling and pretending all was OK”.

Hey Hey co-star John Blackman took to Facebook on Saturday to ask why Kamahl had not asked him to stop the quips at the time, adding the show was filmed in a less enlightened era.

“Goodness me Kamahl, 37 years and you’re still ‘humiliated’,” Blackman wrote.

“You knew where my booth was.”

But on Wednesday, speaking with Mitchell, Kamahl said Somers and Blackman were “old enough and ugly enough to look after themselves. I didn’t have to tell them.”

He said Blackman was “very talented, very witty, but occasionally he says things that are derisive and very hurtful. He’s too busy firing shots. He doesn’t know who he hurts.”

Kamahl added: “If you can’t say something nice or something kind, the best thing is to shut up.”