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Bryan Adams makes 'bat eating' rant about coronavirus and admits isolation is taking its toll

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 01:  (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Bryan Adams visits SiriusXM Studios on May 1, 2019 in New York City.  (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
Bryan Adams appeared to point the finger of blame for coronavirus. (Getty Images)

Bryan Adams has been accused of racism after launching an angry rant against “bat eating... greedy b*****ds” for causing the coronavirus pandemic.

The (Everything I Do) I Do It For You rocker – who had to cancel a three-night residency at London’s Royal Albert Hall due to the pandemic – admitted he was starting to feel the effects of lockdown, and appeared to pin blame for COVID-19 on people in China, where the outbreak began.

Adams, 60, wrote on Instagram: “Tonight was supposed to be the beginning of a tenancy of gigs at the @royalalberthall, but thanks to some f**king bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy b*****ds, the whole world is now on hold, not to mention the thousands that have suffered or died from this virus.”

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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 12: Bryan Adams performs at Spark Arena on March 12, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
Bryan Adams was forced to cancel his residency at the Royal Albert Hall in London. (Getty Images)

He went on: “My message to them other than ‘thanks a f**king lot’ is go vegan. To all the people missing out on our shows, I wish I could be there more than you know. It’s been great hanging out in isolation with my children and family, but I miss my other family, my band, my crew and my fans. Take care of yourselves and hope we can get the show on the road again soon. I’ll be performing a snippet from each album we were supposed to perform for the next few days.”

Amy Go, president of the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice, told CBC News: "This is so irresponsible and just so, so, so, so racist. People look up to public figures. He is seen as an idol by many.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed links between the outbreak of COVID-19 and a food market in Wuhan, China, but stressed more research was necessary.

While some wet markets sell live animals, the term generally refers to markets selling fresh produce – including fruit, vegetables, meat and fish – as supposed to non-perishable goods. They are called wet as the floors are often hosed down to clean the produce.

Animal rights group Peta supported the singer’s comments, saying: “This is why it’s crucial for everyone to go vegan now to prevent the next pandemic.

"It's up to us to create a kinder, healthier future for all species."

Canadian musician Adams lives with his former personal assistant Alicia Grimaldi. They have two daughters Bunny, nine, and Lula, seven.

Sir Paul McCartney has also recently said he hoped the coronavirus pandemic could to lead to the end of “medieval” wet markets.