Comedian Romesh Ranganathan Reveals Wife Targeted with Racist Abuse
The television presenter shared that his spouse was recently targeted on social media while he competes on a popular television program.
British comedian and television presenter Romesh Ranganathan recently disclosed that his wife, Leesa, was targeted with severe racist abuse on social media. Speaking about the incident, the 48-year-old performer explained that his spouse was branded a "racist traitor" on her Instagram page for marrying him.
Ranganathan, who is currently appearing on the BBC One program "Celebrity Traitors," noted that while he regularly receives racist messages on a daily basis, seeing his wife become a target was deeply distressing. He recalled that she was "incredibly upset" by the message telling her she was no longer welcome among white people.
To help ease the situation, the comedian offered his own form of reassurance by pointing to their home and joking about their circumstances. "You've come over to the dark side, and it's working pretty f***ing well for you. Cry those tears into the swimming pool," he told her, adding a characteristic joke that she would not have a pool had she married a white man.
The comic admitted that he feels a sense of responsibility for the abuse his family receives. He noted that had his wife not been married to him, she would not face such hostility, pointing out that dealing with this reality is difficult.
Ranganathan's children have also faced racist remarks while growing up. He recounted an incident where one of his sons was subjected to a racial slur at school, while another faced derogatory comments about his background. The comedian expressed frustration that children often absorb such language from their parents at home.
Discussing his broader philosophy on dealing with racism, Ranganathan described the behavior as horrible and abhorrent, but cautioned against letting it grant power to the aggressor. He emphasized that while people should stand up against racial abuse, immediately reacting with violence is something he actively discourages for his children.
The performer's television career continues to thrive alongside his family life. In addition to his appearance on "Celebrity Traitors," he fronts several major radio and television projects across the United Kingdom and recently renewed his comedy game show with ITV.