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Richard Madeley apologises after using wrong pronoun for Sam Smith on Good Morning Britain

Richard Madeley apologises after using wrong pronoun for Sam Smith on Good Morning Britain

Richard Madeley apologised for using the incorrect pronouns for Sam Smith on Good Morning Britain on Monday.

Madeley, 66, was in the middle of debating Smith’s new music video for the song I’m Not Here to Make Friends, which has been criticised for being hypersexualised, when he made the error during the show.

Smith, 30, is non-binary and goes by the pronouns they/them.

Madeley referred to the singer as “him”, before he was corrected by co-host Susanna Reid. Madeley then apologised for his slip-up.

Reid, 52, had urged: “Remember that Sam Smith uses the pronouns they”, to which Madeley responded: "They, yes, sorry!"

Richard Madeley mispronounced Sam Smith as “him” on GMB before Susanna Reid corrected him (Good Morning Britain/Twitter)
Richard Madeley mispronounced Sam Smith as “him” on GMB before Susanna Reid corrected him (Good Morning Britain/Twitter)

Joined by guest Shivani Dave for the debate, who also goes by they/them, Madeley made the mistake again, as he mispronounced Dave’s pronouns.

After being corrected by Dave this time, Madeley said: “I am so sorry. I will learn to do that.”

Dave later addressed the awkward mistake on Twitter, writing: “Been getting messages from people worried about Richard Madeley misgendering me on @GMB.

“I corrected him, he apologised and took it on board. A masterclass on how to do things if you mess up, we shared a thumbs up and I told him his hair looks great.”

Smith, who is non-binary, confirmed their pronouns back in September 2019 (PA Wire)
Smith, who is non-binary, confirmed their pronouns back in September 2019 (PA Wire)

Their response came after fans shared their split reactions to Madeley’s live blunder.

Smith’s new music video sees them enter a castle filled with flocks of dancers dressed in suspenders, corsets and nipple tassels, along with the singer.

The visual follows the release of Smith’s fourth studio album Gloria, which dropped on Friday.

Smith announced their pronouns back in September 2019.

The Unholy singer said at the time in a post shared on Instagram that they had “been at war with their gender” for a lifetime, before finally deciding to “embrace” who they are.

Smith wrote: “Today is a good day so here goes. I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM after a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.

“I’m so excited and privileged to be surrounded by people that support me in this decision but I’ve been very nervous about announcing this because I care too much about what people think but f*** it!

“I understand there will be many mistakes and mis gendering but all I ask is you please, please try. I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you.”