Twitter backlash as Channel 4 reporter Krishnan Guru-Murthy calls Birmingham ‘a bit rubbish’

“This is what I think of as Birmingham” the reporter said while stood in a non-descript part of the city, “it’s a bit rubbish”.

Controversial Channel 4 reporter Krishnan Guru –Murthy made the remark yesterday evening, much to the disapproval of many Birmingham Twitter users:

“Typical. Anything about Birmingham results in a cheap shot at the city (“It’s a bit rubbish isn’t it?”) Unnecessary.” Said Birmingham citizen @tommy_p_gunn.

Another user @rhodri_jones commented “Birmingham a bit rubbish!!! Wash your mouth out @krishgm”.

The reporter was conducting an interview with Steve Knight at the time, discussing Knight’s BBC Two show ‘Peaky Blinders’.

The show, a historical crime drama set in Birmingham, centres around a gang of illegal bookmakers who run their business on the back streets and canals of Birmingham.

Knight responded to Guru-Murthy’s insult by saying the city was “Glamorous in its own way.”

A jokey apology tweet later came from the reporter, adding further insult to injury: “I know. Shocking. I apologise to all of Birmingham”, Said Guru-Murthy.

Those not on twitter were also upset by the comment “I’ve only lived here for a month but even I know that there’s bad parts and really good parts” said Fran who has been living in Birmingham for over a month.

The backlash comes just over a week before the annual German Christmas market; renowned for bringing millions of visitors to the city every year it is now the largest outdoor Christmas Market in the country.

An apologetic Guru-Murthy later tweeted that “It was all in good humour” and that he was “Just comparing it to the city in the TV serial.”

To see the published version on Eastside click here

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