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Caitlyn Jenner Vanity Fair cover: Drake Bell apologises for 'thoughtless and insensitive remarks' over Jenner’s transition

Bell had previously tweeted ‘Sorry… still calling you Bruce’

Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith
Friday 05 June 2015 13:10 BST
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Drake Bell had said he would still be calling Jenner "Bruce"
Drake Bell had said he would still be calling Jenner "Bruce"

Drake Bell has apologised for his “thoughtless and insensitive” remarks towards Caitlyn Jenner following the revelation of her Vanity Fair cover, and to anyone who may be transitioning.

After the publication of the magazine’s interview with Jenner and her discussion about being transgender, Bell had said he would continue to call the former athlete by her previous name, Bruce.

In a tweet that has now been deleted, Bell wrote: “Sorry… still calling you Bruce”.

His comments sparked widespread criticism, causing Bell to tell people to “chill out!” and claiming: “I’m not dissing him! I just don’t want to forget his legacy! He is the greatest athlete of all time!”

Jenner won a gold medal in the 1976 Olympic Games for the decathlon and broke the world record at the time.

Bell has since apologised for his comments, tweeting: “I sincerely apologise for my thoughtless and insensitive remarks. I in no way meant to hurt or demean those going through a similar journey.

“Although my comments were made in innocence, I deeply regret the negative effect they’ve had on so many.”

Jenner has received widespread praise and support for since appearing on the cover of Vanity Fair, but other celebrities have made negative comments in the week since the magazine was published.

Snoop Dogg called Jenner a “science project” in an Instagram post this week, complaining that singer Akon’s solar energy project had been overshadowed by Jenner’s news. He also misgendered Jenner by referring to her as “Bruce”.

A petition to have Jenner stripped of her gold medal following her transition had emerged online, but it has since been thrown out by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Mark Adams, IOC communications director, told The Independent yesterday: ““Bruce Jenner won his gold medal at the 1976 Olympic Games and there is no issue for the IOC.”

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