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'Devastated' Jamie Oliver apologises for 'damaging' children's book as he withdraws it from sale

The celebrity chef has apologised for 'causing offence' with his children's book

Phoebe Tatham
Content Writer
November 10, 2024
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TV chef Jamie Oliver has apologised and withdrawn a children's book he wrote after it was heavily criticised for offending First Nation Australians.

The book, which was released earlier this year, is titled Billy and the Epic Escape, and is a sequel to Jamie's children's debut Billy and the Giant Adventure.

Jamie Oliver smiling© Getty Images
Jamie Oliver has written numerous books over the years

Indigenous organisations within Australia have strongly criticised the book, and called for Penguin Random House, its publisher, to pull it from shelves.

In a statement, Jamie, 49, said: "I am devastated to have caused offence and apologise wholeheartedly.

Jamie Oliver in a suit© Getty Images
The chef has since apologised and withdrawn his children's book

"It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue. Together with my publishers, we have decided to withdraw the book from sale."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for publisher Penguin Random House said: "Our mission at Penguin Random House UK is to make books for everyone and with that commitment comes a deep sense of responsibility.

"It is clear that our publishing standards fell short on this occasion, and we must learn from that and take decisive action.

man on TV show in blue shirt © Shutterstock
Jamie rose to fame after the premiere of his 1999 BBC cooking show, The Naked Chef

"With that in mind, we have agreed with our author, Jamie Oliver, that we will be withdrawing the book from sale."

Among the organisations to criticise the book was The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (Natsiec). Per The Guardian, the organisation's chief executive Sharon Davis described Billy and the Epic Escape as "irresponsible and damaging, reflecting a profound lack of understanding and respect".

Jools Oliver standing with husband Jamie Oliver© Getty Images
Jamie and his wife Jools been married for more than 20 years

They also accused the book of "erasure, trivialisation, and stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences", saying that it "ignores the violent oppression of First Nations people, raising serious concerns about the cultural safety of First Nations readers – especially young people".

The father-of-five published his first book, Billy And The Giant Adventure, last year. At the time, he explained that he'd "carefully chosen the font to make sure the text is as clear as possible" as people with dyslexia can find it hard to read.

WATCH: Jamie Oliver's family life

Jamie, who has dyslexia, struggled to read bedtime stories to his young children. He subsequently started making up stories in his head and in doing so, built up a "catalogue" of stories which would later serve as the basis for his children's books.

Jamie Oliver and Jools Oliver and children posing with youngest child outside Portland Hospital© Getty Images
Jamie and Jools (pictured in 2016) are incredibly close to their kids

He wrote his book by writing in 10-minute chunks over lockdown. "I sat down for 10 minutes a day - which is as long as I can focus - and wrote it," he previously told BBC Breakfast. "Over the course of four years, I built 14 chapters and sent it to a publisher."

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