Entertainment uk celebrityJudy FinniganLoose Women

Judy Finnigan Rape Comments: ‘Loose Women' Star Accused Of Defending Rapist Ched Evans By Labelling His Attack ‘Non-Violent'

Judy Finnigan Apologises After 'Non-Violent' Rape Comments
Rachel McGrath
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Judy Finnigan has come under fire, after appearing to defend the convicted rapist Ched Evans, during her debut appearance on ‘Loose Women’.

The presenter was involved in a discussion with her fellow panellists, when she described the former footballer’s attack on a 19-year-old girl as “non-violent”. She later apologised for her comments after complaints appeared on social media.

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Judy Finnigan

Ched is expected to be released later this month, having served half of his five-year sentence, and the women were discussing this when Judy made her comments.

"He's served his time. The rape and I am not, please, by any means minimising any kind of rape - but the rape was not violent,” Judy stated. “He didn’t cause any bodily harm to the person."

The former ‘This Morning’ presenter then went on raise the issue of how much alcohol the victim had drunk on the evening of the attack - a point which has enraged Twitter users.

"'It was unpleasant, in a hotel room, I believe, and she was – she had far too much to drink,” Judy said. “And you know, that is reprehensible, but he has been convicted and he has served his time.

"Now when he comes out, what are we supposed to do? Just actually refuse to let him do his job? Again, even though he has already been punished?"

The former This Morning presenter later apologised for her comments: "I apologise unreservedly for any offence that I may have caused as a result of the wording I used."

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Judy was making her 'Loose Women' debut

Ched was found guilty after admitting to having sex with the woman, who informed the jury at Caernarfon Crown Court that she had no memory of the incident.

The prosecution stated that she was too drunk to have consented to sexual intercourse.

A number of outraged Twitter users have shared their disgust at Judy’s standpoint:

However, a handful of Twitter users have supported the presenter's comments.

Over 100,000 people have signed a petition which states that Ched should not be able to return to playing football for his former club Sheffield United.

Judy isn’t the first star to cause controversy with comments on sexual assault. Earlier this year, Charlize Theron sparked outrage when she compared media intrusion to rape.

Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan
Romantic Novelists' Association Awards - London(01 of25)
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Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley attend the Romantic Novelists' Association Awards at the RAF Club, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday February 26, 2013. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire (credit:PA)
Romantic Novelists' Association Awards - London(02 of25)
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Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley attend the Romantic Novelists' Association Awards at the RAF Club, London. (credit:PA)
Richard and Judy's Book Club launch - London(03 of25)
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Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan during a photocall for Richard and Judy's Book Club launch, at St Pancras Station in central London. (credit:PA)
Richard and Judy's Book Club launch - London(04 of25)
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Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan during a photocall for Richard and Judy's Book Club launch, at St Pancras Station in central London. (credit:PA)
Richard and Judy bookclub(05 of25)
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Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan celebrate the 1st birthday of their book club, at the Haymarket Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Richard and Judy bookclub(06 of25)
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Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan celebrate the 1st birthday of their book club, at the Haymarket Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Spring Book Club launch - London(07 of25)
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Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley unveil the eight new titles of their Spring Book Club, exclusively with WHSmith at the Soho Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Spring Book Club launch - London(08 of25)
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Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley with author Rosamund Lupton (centre) unveil the eight new titles of their Spring Book Club, exclusively with WHSmith at the Soho Hotel in London. (credit:PA)
Richard and Judy's Book Club launch - London(09 of25)
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Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan during a photocall for Richard and Judy's Book Club launch, at St Pancras Station in central London. (credit:PA)
Richard And Judy Reveal Book Club Titles - Photocall(10 of25)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley unveil eight new titles for their Spring Book Club at the Soho Hotel on January 5, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Richard and Judy's Book Club launch - London(11 of25)
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Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan during a photocall for Richard and Judy's Book Club launch, at St Pancras Station in central London. (credit:PA)
Tony Blair - Granada TV's Richard and Judy Show - London(12 of25)
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Labour leader Tony Blair joins Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan on Granada TV's Richard and Judy Show, in London today (Thursday). (credit:PA)
TV Awards(13 of25)
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Good Morning tv presenters Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley with their National Television Award at The Royal Albert Hall in London. (credit:PA)
Breathing Life Awards 2005 - Royal Lancaster Hotel(14 of25)
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Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. (credit:PA)
Harry Potter Premiere(15 of25)
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TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan arrive for world premiere of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone with their children Jack and Chloe at the Odeon Leicester Square in London. (credit:PA)
SHOWBIZ MORE4(16 of25)
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Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan arrives for the More4 launch party at the Shunt Vaults. (credit:PA)
The National Television Awards 2004(17 of25)
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TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan arrive for the 10th Anniversary National Television Awards 2004 held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. (credit:PA)
Galaxy British Book Awards 2009(18 of25)
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Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan arrive for the Galaxy British Book Awards 2009 at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, central London. (credit:PA)
Art Garfunkel in concert(19 of25)
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Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan relax before the Art Garfunkel performs a concert on the lake of Kenwood House in Hampstead Heath, North London. (credit:PA)
Richard and Judy - Women in Film and Television Awards(20 of25)
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Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan arrive for the Women In Film and Television Awards, held at the London Hilton, Park Lane, central London. (credit:PA)
JK Rowling on Richard & Judy show(21 of25)
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Author JK Rowling (right) gives a rare live interview on the Richard (Madeley) and Judy (Finnigan) Programme on Channel 4, at the Cactus TV studios in south London. (credit:PA)
JK Rowling on Richard & Judy show(22 of25)
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Author JK Rowling (left) gives a rare live interview on the Richard (Madeley) and Judy (Finnigan) Programme on Channel 4, at the Cactus TV studios in south London. (credit:PA)
Richard and Judy Vodofone Simply Launch(23 of25)
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Television hosts Richard Madeley and Judy Finigan launch a new mobile phone by Vodafone aimed at people who don't need any extras on their phone. Vodafone's new model is pitched at customers aged 35 and above who are confused by the array of functions available on other models. Designed for users who solely want to make phone calls and send text messages, the Vodafone Simply offers only the most basic features. (credit:PA)
Pioneer British Academy Television Awards - Theatre Royal(24 of25)
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TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. (credit:PA)
The Nutcracker - St Martin's Lane Hotel(25 of25)
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Richard and Judy. (credit:PA)

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