The BBC has come under fire after it was revealed that a 2018 Children in Need campaign video featured Axel Rudakubana, the teenager accused of murdering three girls at a dance class in Southport. The video, which showed Rudakubana dressed as Doctor Who, has since been removed from all BBC platforms out of respect for the victims.
Rudakubana, who appeared in the advert at the age of 11, was reportedly contracted by the BBC through a casting agency. The Ology child talent agency, which represented Rudakubana, has not responded to requests for comment.
BBC Children in Need has clarified that Rudakubana has no relationship with the organization and has never been affiliated with any of its funded projects. The spokesperson expressed deepest sympathies to those impacted by the tragic case.
The three girls, Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, tragically lost their lives in the stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, has been charged with their murders and 10 counts of attempted murder.
Since the killings, unrest has erupted in towns and cities across England, with reports of violence against police buildings and other premises. The home secretary has condemned the violence, stating that those responsible will “pay the price for their violence and thuggery.”
As Rudakubana awaits trial and his 18th birthday next week, the community continues to mourn the loss of the young victims and grapple with the aftermath of the tragic events.
