Yahoo News Shane Richie apologises for Thomas Cook 'karma' comment following Twitter backlash
Shane Richie has apologised for the comments he made about the collapse of Thomas Cook.
In the aftermath of the news that the travel company had ceased trading leaving thousands of people stranded abroad and thousands out of a job, the former EastEnders actor took to Twitter and simply tweeted the word “karma” to the official Thomas Cook news page.
Richie’s comment was reportedly the result of a bad holiday he had experienced with Thomas Cook earlier this year.
Read more: Newlyweds left ‘devastated’ after £7,000 Maldives honeymoon cancelled in Thomas Cook collapse
However, his tweet sparked fury amongst other Twitter users who criticised him of being insensitive to the 21,000 people who had lost their jobs and the estimated 600,000 stranded holidaymakers.
Responding to the tweet that has since been deleted, one user posted: “Yeah, 20,000 people losing their jobs is karma cos you're entitled a*** didn’t get a holiday you wanted. What a shocking human being you are."
Another commented: “Not nice have a thought for all the staff who have lost their jobs shame on you."
In response to the fury, Richie has since taken to his official Twitter page to apologise.
“My comment was a dig at faceless management and not the thousands of employees who are sadly losing their jobs due to mismanagement,” he clarified.
"My thoughts are with the shop/ground staff who I’ve only admiration for ..there (sic) the ones who suffer today ..apologies if it read any other way xx".
Read more: Should the Government have bailed out Thomas Cook?
Amid the company’s collapse, Thomas Cook staff have been praised for continuing to work in order to help customers despite losing their jobs.
One member of staff declared on Twitter: “Officially unemployed. Devastated beyond words. Even after us ceasing trading, I will be at my branch at 9am to help my customers with any questions.”
