Louis Smith insists he was recreating moments from Disney film Aladdin in shocking clip which appears to show him mocking Muslims
Gymnast sets the record straight on the video which could potentially end his glittering career
OLYMPIAN Louis Smith has insisted he was drunkenly recreating scenes from Disney film Aladdin in a shocking video which appears to show him mocking Muslims.
The gymnast appeared on Loose Women today to talk about the The Sun's clip which showed him seemingly poking fun at the Islamic call to prayer at a friend's wedding.
Louis said of moment that was caught on camera: "It was five o' clock in the morning, we were in a bar...It was a childish, silly thing.
"We were singing Lion King, Jungle Book, we were singing Aladdin and then I decided we needed a flying carpet and my mate took a carpet from the wall and we strayed off course..."
He went on to declare that although his actions were very "offensive", he did not consider his behaviour to be "racist".
Louis also admitted he experienced racism himself as a youngster growing up on a tough estate.
He said: "What I did was not racist - it was very offensive - mocking Islam.
"It's very bad but it's certainly not racist - I've experienced racism myself - it's something I do not condone."
He also opened about the death threats he has been facing since the video came to light.
Louis revealed he felt scared for his loved ones, saying: "[Death threats have been sent to] me, my family, my friends... I am ashamed [of the video] 100 per cent...
"It's been such a crazy year... I haven't really had much of a chance to act like an idiot after Rio [2016 Olympics in Brazil]...
"I was at my best friend's wedding... in a place you think you're safe...
"You think you can be a bit of an idiot."
His interview came after The Sun Online exclusively revealed that extra security was drafted in at the Loose Women studio to protect the Olympian.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 27, was shown in the clip with his friend and fellow gymnast Luke Carson, 26.
It was filmed around three weeks ago at a friend's wedding and they appeared to be drunkenly mocking the sacred call to prayer rite.
Luke took a hanging rug from the wall and knelt on it, saying "Allahu Akbar” and Louis joked: "Six o’clock prayers."
Louis - who was awarded an MBE in 2013 - is now facing a potential suspension from gymnastics over his behaviour.
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After The Sun exclusively uncovered the video, he offered a public apology.
He told the : "This is the lowest point of my career.
"What I did was incredibly offensive and very ignorant. My charity work, all the kids that look up to me, everything has been tarnished because of one stupid moment.
"I want to apologise to everyone in the Muslim community; to people that were offended, even to those that weren’t.
"I’m sorry for the people who looked up to me, to my fans and friends and family who are so disappointed.
"I’ve worked my whole career to make people proud of me and I’m ashamed to have let everyone down.
"People who don’t know me will see this video and think I’m a racist. The truth is I’m not."
