Artie Lange: Comedian criticised over sex slavery tweets about ESPN presenter Cari Champion

Lange has refused to apologise to the “PC groups ruining this country”

Artie Lange has received backlash from both the public and ESPN after he shared a sex slavery fantasy about one of the US television channel’s black presenters, Cari Champion.

The comedian and actor shared two tweets about Champion, which ESPN has described as “reprehensible”.

His appearance on comedy panel show @Midnight has consequently been cancelled.

“I attempt to whip @CariChampion cuz she disrespected the Jefferson Plantation but she grabs whip & beats me I cum like a fat founding father,” he tweeted.

“After having 8 illegitimate kids together @CariChampion & I marry at The Knights of Columbus in Linden New Jersey. Prob with that?! F- Off!”

Lange, 47, is known for having numerously appeared on The Howard Stern Show and for presenting a radio show called The Artie Lange Show, until it was cancelled in April this year.

“His comments were reprehensible and no one should be subjected to such hateful language,” read a statement from ESPN.

“They objectify and demean one of our valued employees under the thin guise of 'comedy' and are offensive to all of us. We will not dignify them with any other comment.”

Lange has thus far refused to apologise, sharing this adamant statement on Twitter:

He maintains that his slavery ‘joke’ was merely an observation.

However, he did graciously add that if his comments offended Champion, then would apologise.

Champion has hosted sports programme First Talk since 2012, moderating comments between presenters Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith.