Podcaster dropped from Christmas lights event

A podcaster with over a million subscribers has been dropped from a Christmas lights switch-on event after a city council reviewed his past "published content".

Jack Dean, known as JaackMaate, was selected to appear at the event outside Norwich City Hall on Thursday, 19 November.

The 33-year-old, who is from the city, said the opportunity was a "bucket list dream", but a fortnight later the invitation has been withdrawn by the city council.

In a statement, the authority apologised and said it had "failed to identify issues from previous published content before announcing him".

He was due to turn the lights on with his Happy Hour co-hosts, Stevie White and Robbie Knox.

In a post on his Facebook, Dean claimed he was pulled from the event because "one person complained to the council about my old 'edgy' online videos from 2014".

In a subsequent video posted to social media, he said: "Even though it was over 12 years ago, I'm not proud of some of the language I used and some of the videos I made.

"The council has informed me that because the switch on is a family event and my old content is not family friendly I'm no longer suitable for the gig.

"I know it's just going up there and pressing a button but it was a real special moment for me. I'm gutted, I'm heartbroken and I'm disappointed."

Dean said he made "outlandish, brash and edgy" videos as a teenager and said some of it was "just stupid".

He added: "I don't know how many times I can apologise for the same thing.

"Ultimately I did say stupid stuff online when I was 19 but I promise you guys, I like to think I'm a decent bloke."

He has offered to meet with fans for a drink at the Murderers pub in Norwich, which he says is one of his favourites in the city.

The reversal follows Norwich's lord mayor, Karen Davis, appearing on Jaackmate's podcast to invite the presenters to turn the lights on two weeks ago.

A council spokesperson said: "In reviewing our arrangements, we failed to identify issues from previous published content before announcing him.

"We apologise for this and will be changing our procedures.

"A further announcement will be made shortly confirming details about the event."

The council has not expanded on which piece of content it had concerns about.

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.