TV star Judy Finnigan has
apologised after comments she made about convicted rapist Ched Evans on
ITV's Loose Women show prompted a Twitter backlash.
"I apologise unreservedly for any offence that I may have
caused as a result of the wording I used," said the former This Morning
presenter.
Finnigan stoked viewers' ire by saying the rape was "not violent".
Evans has served half of a five-year sentence after being convicted of raping a 19-year-old woman in 2011.
Finnigan and her fellow Loose Women discussed his case on
Monday following reports the 25-year-old footballer may return to
Sheffield United following his release.
"If he does go back, he will have to brave an awful lot of
comments," said Finnigan during her debut appearance on the lunchtime
programme.
"But, having said that, he has served his time, he's served two years.
"The rape - and I am not, please, by any means minimising any
kind of rape - but the rape was not violent, he didn't cause any bodily
harm to the person.
"It was unpleasant, in a hotel room I believe, and she [the victim] had far too much to drink.
"That is reprehensible but he has been convicted and he has served his time."
In a statement issued later on Monday, Finnigan said: "I
absolutely wasn't suggesting that rape was anything other than an
horrendous crime.
"As I said on the programme, I was in no way attempting to minimise the terrible ordeal that any woman suffers as a result.
"The point I was attempting to raise as part of the debate
was what should happen to someone after they have committed a crime and
served their time?"
"Loose Women is a daily talk show centred around topical debate and frank discussion," said a Loose Women spokesperson earlier.
"Opinions are expressed and exchanged from a mix of viewpoints."