Broadcaster 'unreservedly' apologises to Danny Cipriani over Caroline Flack Tweet

A UK broadcaster has ‘unreservedly apologised’ to Gloucester flyhalf Danny Cipriani following a Tweet he sent to the playmaker accusing him of using the death of TV presenter Caroline Flack to attack the media.

Journalist and broadcaster Mike Parry said he didn’t realise that the former England 10 had previously been in a relationship with Flack, who tragically took her own life over the weekend.

“I want to apologise unreservedly to Danny Cipriani for my comments last Saturday following the tragic death of wonderful Caroline Flack. I had no idea you’d had a relationship with Caroline and misinterpreted your tweet. I offer my total sympathy to you in this difficult time.”

I want to apologise unreservedly to @DannyCipriani87 for my comments last Saturday following the tragic death of wonderful Caroline Flack. I had no idea you'd had a relationship with Caroline and misinterpreted your tweet. I offer my total sympathy to you in this difficult time.

— Mike Parry (@mikeparry8) February 18, 2020

Cipriani was magnanimous in accepting the apology: “Like I said before. I don’t know you, but I know saying sorry is difficult. So I respect you for saying it. I’ve also jumped to conclusions. So I wasn’t mad. Thank you for your message.”

Like i said before. I don’t know you, but i know saying sorry is difficult. So i respect you for saying it. I’ve also jumped to conclusions. So i wasn’t mad. Thank you for your message

— Danny Cipriani (@DannyCipriani87) February 18, 2020

Cipriani had tweeted earlier this week: “The media are f**ked. Never held accountable. They lie. Get away with it every time. People are so quick to read it and just throw nasty comments. She was a kind soul and didn’t deserve the way she was bullied.”

That tweet led to a number of negative reactions, including Parry’s one, which read: “You are truly pathetic Cipriani… Caroline Flack, a huge star, has died and a failed rugby playing little bum like you has decided to use her horrific death as a platform for your anti-media campaign. You didn’t get good stuff written about you because you weren’t very good.”

Responding to the accusation, Cipriani replied: “You couldn’t be more misguided. I don’t know who you are. I sincerely hope u get the love you never received. This has nothing to do with a game. I missed her call because of a f***king game. I’ve been up all night. Never cried this much. But I’m showing u it’s ok to be vulnerable.”