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Outrage as Prince George is mocked for taking ballet lessons as “bully” TV host Lara Spencer is forced to apologise
TV host Lara Spencer has apologised after being branded a “bully” for cruelly mocking Prince George for taking ballet lessons.
The Good Morning America presenter backtracked on her comments and said six-year-old George should “GO FOR IT”.
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Lara said sorry for her “insensitive” remarks while discussing Prince George's new school curriculum at St Thomas's in Battersea.
In a TV segment about the young royal, she had said: “The future king of England will be putting down the Playdoh to take on religious studies, computer programming, poetry and ballet among other things.”
The audience as well as Lara could be heard erupting into laughter at the last comment.
She then stifled her giggles and added: “Prince William says George absolutely loves ballet, I have news for you Prince William we’ll see how long that lasts.”
Her comments caused outraged among viewers, and several celebrities have since come forward dubbing her comments “outdated.”
Following the backlash, Lara posted an apology on her Instagram.
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“My sincere apologies for an insensitive comment I made in pop news yesterday,” she said.
“From ballet to anything one wants to explore in life, I say GO FOR IT.
“I fully believe we should all be free to pursue our passions. Go climb your mountain-and love every minute of it.”
She had faced calls to apologise after being accused of “shaming” the young royal on TV.
Former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips commented on Instagram: “What a shameful, outdated, harmful attitude being broadcast to the masses.
"Dance has countless scientifically proven benefits for physical and mental health.
"There should be nothing but encouragement for any male who chooses to try dance whether it’s as a fun hobby or for a future as a professional.”
Equally appalled was X Factor choreographer Brian Friedman who shared a clip from the US show on his Instagram.
Captioning the video he wrote: “See this cute face, the future King of England? This adorable boy is being shamed by a grown woman on National Television in America for taking ballet!
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“@lara.spencer you should be ashamed of yourself as well as @gstephanopoulos for laughing along & @goodmorningamerica for letting public shaming of young boys happen!
“Growing up as a dancer I was bullied horribly which is exactly what this is. She is teaching the word that it is ok to laugh at boys for dancing and that is so sad.
“Just think about the young boys who may have seen this and could quit their passion at her expense.
“It infuriates me and I would appreciate everyone sharing this and forcing a public apology to Prince George, The Royal Family, all male dancers and all dancers in general for being so insensitive.”
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A fellow choreographer commented on his post writing: "This is awful and riddled with ignorance."
"So sad, very disappointing" said another, with a third writing, "Boys can do it too. Nobody should be ashamed to do what they love to."
The third-in-line to the throne will be introduced to ballet as well as French lessons when he goes into Year Two when he returns to St Thomas's Battersea early next month.
He will continue his love of dancing by having weekly ballet lessons.
As part of the school's physical education programme, George and his classmates will have 35-minute ballet classes which are accompanied by a live piano player.
Last year, Prince William told finalists of the BBC Radio 1's Teen Hero awards that his eldest son is also a keen dancer like Princess Diana and had been loving his ballet lessons at school.
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As outlined on their , the school's ballet lessons is based on the Royal Academy of Dance's syllabus and is purposefully designed to build students' "physical skills, stamina, creativity, expression and musicality, using a range of movements and musical styles.
In other words, it's an all-together more fancy affair than our primary school P.E lessons spent on indoor climbing frames.
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