Yahoo News 2014 video of Louis Walsh groping Mel B live on air has resurfaced
A past video of ex-X Factor judge Louis Walsh has surfaced of him groping Mel B on live television.
The clip, from a 2014 interview on the reality show’s spin-off show The Xtra Factor, Louis is being interviewed alongside Mel B, Simon Cowell, and Cheryl.
Things appear to be normal as the foursome chat about the show, but when you look closely you can clearly spot Louis’s hand firmly grabbing the former Spice Girl’s bottom.
As the interview continues, Mel begins to appear more and more uncomfortable before the Irish judge begins to squeeze and juggle her bum cheek which prompts the singer to stop the interview and make a point of what he’s doing.
‘Why are you grabbing my butt?’ she asks him, once the interviewer stops with the chat.
And even then, when Mel looks down to point out out his wandering hand, he keeps it there until suddenly he removes it and jokes: ‘I’m looking out for you!’
The extremely awkward moment is laughed off but a horrified Simon Cowell glances over and utters: ‘Honestly, you’re safe,’ to which Louis then bursts out laughing.
Cheryl’s face is, like Simon’s, mortified and isn’t laughing along with Louis, as the show’s host quickly carries on as if nothing happened.
Despite the incident happening over four years ago (and uploaded to YouTube at the time), the video has gone viral on Twitter, as people criticise Louis for groping a woman live on TV – especially in the wake of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements where women the world over have been calling out inappropriate behaviour from men.
sexual harassment on live TV folks pic.twitter.com/tjJtE45ZFk
— junieblackjones•°゜ (@dys_nania) July 8, 2018
& yet theres still strong denial about the frequency of its occurrence behind closed doors…
.
ok— junieblackjones•°゜ (@dys_nania) July 8, 2018
Twitter has blasted the former judge, claiming that, regardless of rumours of him being gay, is 100% accountable for his actions.
Why aren’t more people talking about Louis Walsh sexually assaulting Mel B like hello?
— Aaron 🎟 (@dietcokegtlive) July 9, 2018
This is disgusting, what a creep
Why is Louis Walsh trying to fondle Mel bs booty 🤦🏾♀️ I think at this point he was entitled to a clean slap on the face pic.twitter.com/Hsss4Do4Ef
— MJeezy (@RuthNadi) July 9, 2018
CW sexual assault//
about the whole Louis Walsh sexually assaulting Mel B on live TV situation:
If your response to that is "he's gay so it's fine" or "she embarrassed him on TV!" YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM. Sexual assault isn't okay, it doesn't matter what anyone's sexuality is— Mich🌱 (@PotatoForeman) July 9, 2018
someone’s sexuality etc louis walsh being gay; doesn’t mean they can’t still sexually assault the opposite sex like why is that so hard for some people to understand
— knee v (@yungbeefcake) July 9, 2018
Louis has never openly confirmed his sexuality when asked about it, but people on Twitter have made up their minds and, no matter his sexuality, are holding him to account.
But some didn’t believe Louis posed a threat and dismissed the criticism.
Really? Does any of this sound right… sexual harassment, on live tv, from an openly gay man….you people are honestly sad…I get that it's an issue, a very serious one! But this example just makes you and your belifes seem futile and takes away from the real issues
— Muke Earlcathy (@Muke_Earlcathy) July 9, 2018
He’s literally gay. Like the most widespreadly, Out, 100% gay man in all of ireland and the UK. Her reaction was sarcastic you halfwits.
— As Yet Untitled (@_asyetuntitled_) July 9, 2018
Either way, the clip has been viewed millions of times this week on social media alone, with his name being bandied around Twitter amid plenty of heated discussions.
Yahoo Celebrity has reached out to Louis Walsh for comment.
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