Pete Evans has thanked his friends and colleagues for support after backlash
After making a stunning confession, Pete Evans has thanked his friends and colleagues for their support amid the ongoing fallout from his latest controversy.
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Pete Evans has thanked his friends and colleagues for their support amid the ongoing fallout from his latest controversy.
The celebrity chef, who was dumped by Network 10 from I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! before filming commenced on Tuesday, has been dropped from up to 15 products and retailers since he posted a neo-Nazi symbol.
“What a fascinating journey,’ the 47-year-old wrote on Wednesday, beside an illustration of a rainbow-coloured hand displaying the peace sign.
“Sending a huge thank you to all my friends and colleagues who have shown their support for me over the years in our different business ventures and partnerships.
“I wish you all the very best on your journey forwards in all your endeavours and hope that you continue your ongoing success.”
Evans also re-posted an eerie link about ‘death’ to his Instagram stories. The post was originally uploaded by physician Zach Bush MD, who was recently interviewed by Evans on his Evolve podcast.
On Tuesday Evans claimed he had to google what neo-Nazi meant.
Speaking in a video posted to social media after he emerged from quarantine, the COVID conspiracy theorist said he had been inaccurately labelled a racist and neo-Nazi.
“Just when you thought 2020 couldn’t get any more bizarre the mainstream media have come out and labelled me a racist and a neo-Nazi,’’ Evans said.
“The fact that I had to google what neo-Nazi meant is pretty telling.
“So I just want to tell you this once and one time only, it is completely untrue, unfactual and a load of garbage. I could actually say a few more words about it but I won’t.
“Anybody who knows me knows I stand for long term sustainable health for all humanity. I don’t think there’s anything else I need to say except for peace, love to you all.”
Evans’ own coconut water brand, Natural Raw C, distanced itself from the former My Kitchen Rules judge.
The backlash occurred after he posted a cartoon that appeared to include the black sun symbol associated with neo-Nazis and the far right.
He apologised for posts which cost him a publishing deal with Pan MacMillan, but it was the final straw for Network 10 and major retailers, including Coles and Woolworths, who axed him.
Pete Evans has posted on Instagram for the first time since he apologies for people 'misinterpreting his post' yesterday with a video denying that he's a Neo-Nazi
— postmaster-general cameron wilson (@cameronwilson) November 17, 2020
He claims he had to google what a Neo-Nazi was because he didn't know🤪 pic.twitter.com/OGsWhMFW0J
He posted an apology on Facebook on Monday afternoon to those who “misinterpreted” the cartoon.
“Sincere apologies to anyone who misinterpreted a previous post of a caterpillar and a butterfly having a chat over a drink and perceived that I was promoting hatred,’’ he wrote.
“I look forward to studying all of the symbols that have ever existed and research them thoroughly before posting. Hopefully this symbol (a love hear) resonates deeply into the hearts of ALL!”
Evans’ stint on I’m a Celeb did not go ahead, with Network 10 confirming to the Herald Sun that he would not be appearing on the show.
“Network 10 can confirm that Pete Evans will not be appearing on this season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!” a Ten spokesperson said.
Filming commenced in the new location near Murwillumbah in New South Wales.
Supermarket giant Coles joined Woolworths in removing Evans’ products from shelves.
A Coles spokesperson told the Herald Sun removed food products would be donated to charity Secondbite.
“Coles is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment in which to work and shop,” the spokesperson said.
“We have no direct business relationship with Pete Evans, however we currently stock a small number of products from suppliers who have licensing agreements with him.
“We have spoken to these suppliers who share our concerns regarding recent statements made by Mr Evans and are in discussions regarding the removal of these products from our range.”
I was planning on watching this, but not if Pete Evans in on. Bad move.
— Rhys Bennett (@RhysyB) November 16, 2020
@Channel10AU still considering Pete Evans for I’m a Celeb after he started posting Nazi symbols?
— Cate (@notthatCate) November 16, 2020
I normally watch @Channel10AU #ImACelebrityAU but will not support it with Pete Evans. Not cool! Not funny. A stupid decision. https://t.co/hpIb5ALxU2
— HenrysBabyBlues (@HenrysBlueEyes) November 16, 2020
One of the biggest international publishers, Pan Macmillan, severed ties with Evans and invited bookshop owners to return his books to them.
The company published 17 of Evans’ books but announced on Twitter that it had dumped him.
“Pan Macmillan does not support the recent posts made by Pete Evans,” the publisher tweeted.
“Pan Macmillan is currently finalising its contractual relationship with Pete Evans and as such will not be entering into any further publishing agreements moving forward.
“If any retailer wishes to return Pete Evans’ books please contact Pan Macmillan.”
Woolworths also distanced itself from Evans, removing his books from sale at Big W.
“We appreciate the recent community concern over comments made by Pete Evans,” a statement said.
“BIG W has taken the decision to remove his books from sale. As always, we encourage our customers to follow the expert medical advice from health authorities.”
Bookstore Dymocks also said it, too, was pulling Evans’ books from its shelves.
Baccarat kitchenware also confirmed it has terminated its license agreement for the manufacture and retail of its range of Pete Evans branded kitchenware products.
House also released a statement.
Eddie McGuire wondered where the line would be drawn after hearing that cancer con artist Belle Gibson may be in line to appear on the second series of Channel 7’s gruelling military style show, SAS Australia.
“My point (is) if you’re going to knock off Pete Evans and you’re putting Schapelle Corby on (SAS), a drug trafficker, who’s the moral arbiter of these things?” he said on his Triple M Hot Breakfast show.
“If you’re going to have it you may as well let in Ivan Milat as well. Or, you say we’re not going to have these type of people on. At what stage do you draw the line?
Twitter users were largely irate and Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, condemned Evans’ “morally indefensible conduct”.
“We welcome the decision by Pan Macmillan, and call on Channel 10 to look into their hearts and to reflect whether this individual should be part of their programming,’’ Dr Abramovich said, before the axing was announced.
“This is not who we are as Australians, and the recent actions by Pete Evans not only send the wrong signal about our nation but also violates our core values of tolerance, diversity and respect.”
Evans’ latest controversy follows a long list of outrageous claims including that COVID-19 is a hoax.
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